Note: The following was announced today, via ASU News
Arizona State University is set to honor ESPN sports journalists Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon with the 43rd Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Each year, the Cronkite School honors prominent journalists with the Cronkite Award. The award is named after the late CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite. Many accomplished journalists, including Wolf Blitzer, David Muir, Robin Roberts, Anderson Cooper and many others, have received this prestigious award.
“Mike and I have been doing this together for more than 45 years between our time at The Washington Post and “PTI.” Receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism is unexpected and an incredible honor – and being able to share it with Mike makes it all the more meaningful,” said Kornheiser.
“To receive an honor bearing Walter Cronkite’s name is humbling, because you immediately think about the standard he set for journalism. And to share it with Tony, my friend and partner for more than four decades, makes it even more special,” said Wilbon. “I’ve been fortunate to call Scottsdale home for a significant part of my life, so I feel a personal connection to the Cronkite School and I’m grateful that this recognition further strengthens that bond.”
Kornheiser and Wilbon have co-hosted ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” since it debuted 25 years ago – appearing in more than 3,000 episodes to date. Together, they run down the day’s sports hot topics and key events in a fast-paced format. “PTI” is one of the longest-running daily shows in sports media history and ESPN’s most-viewed daily studio program. The show has received three Sports Emmy Awards.
The ESPN hosts first met at The Washington Post. Kornheiser began working there in 1979, where he wrote for the paper and later became a sports columnist. After spending two summers interning, Wilbon became a sports reporter at The Washington Post in 1980 and later transitioned into a sports columnist.
The pair continued working at The Washington Post while simultaneously starting “PTI” in 2001.
In addition to “PTI”, Kornheiser has hosted his own radio show, commentated for “Monday Night Football”, frequently contributed to “The Sports Reporters”, published three books and now hosts his own podcast, The Tony Kornheiser Show.
Wilbon has contributed to ESPN’s NBA coverage for over two decades, is a regular panelist on “NBA Countdown”, has written columns for ESPN, has appeared on ESPN Radio, and has co-written two books with former NBA player Charles Barkley.
“Wilbon and Kornheiser are the standard bearers when it comes to debating and analyzing sports,” said Battinto L. Batts Jr., dean of the Cronkite School. “I believe the biggest reason they have remained relevant all these years is because they are journalists, first, committed to the facts and informed opinion. That was their reputation at The Washington Post. That is their reputation at ESPN. We are pleased to honor them for their significant contributions to the industry.”
Collectively, the duo has received The Washington Post’s prestigious Eugene Meyer Award, which recognizes employees who exemplify journalism, business sense and hard work just as the paper’s owner and publisher did.
“Tony and Mike have forged one of the most successful partnerships in sports media history on PTI, and they’ve made an extraordinary impact on the industry and generations of fans,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN President, Content. “Our entire ESPN team congratulates them on receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, and we look forward to celebrating them next month as PTI marks its 25-year anniversary.”
Kornheiser and Wilbon will receive the 43rd Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism on Feb. 16 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. Ticket information.
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