When Keith Olbermann was very publicly dismissed from Current TV more than a year ago, Forbes asked the question: “Where will Keith Olbermann ever work again?”
The answer to that question has finally come in the form of Turner Sports.
Turner Broadcasting Network has given the notoriously disrespectful Olbermann the opportunity to return to his television roots as the new co-anchor of their Major League Baseball postseason coverage. The former political commentator will work alongside Dennis Eckersley in Atlanta, giving Olbermann a chance to talk on air about his first love.
“It is well known that Keith is a fan of the game, and when you combine that with his studio experience, keen insight and passion for baseball and its history, he’ll add a new dimension to our MLB postseason studio shows,” David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports at Turner Broadcasting, said in a statement.
It is unknown whether Olbermann’s stint will last beyond the World Series, however.
Olbermann’s own history is slightly more scandal-ridden than his favorite game. Before making his mark as a liberal television personality at MSNBC, Olbermann spent more than two decades working in sports broadcasting – including stints at CNN and ABC’s Boston affiliate, WCVB. In 1992, he was made the co-host of ESPN’s SportsCenter. Ultimately, Olbermann left his stint at SportsCenter after a suspension, causing ESPN to ban him from their main campus in Bristol, Conn.
Olbermann’s luck didn’t get any better post-sports, when he became MSNBC’s leading liberal political commentator in 2003. After making a name for himself in the liberal world, the television personality was suspended and then fired for breaking MSNBC’s policy by donating funds to three Democratic congressional candidates.
Current TV, owned by former vice president Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, was next to give Olbermann another chance as a political commentator. But the story was the same, and before long, Olbermann was fired. But this time, the scorned commentator decided to sue Current TV for $50 million.
Eventually, Olbermann and Current TV settled out of court just in time for him to pack up and leave the political commentary scene.
Turner Sports picking up Olbermann isn’t too much of a surprise considering he was reportedly attempting to get back into the ESPN world earlier this year. However, one can only wonder if Olbermann’s streak of suspensions and firings are over or if this is yet another career move that will end with a potential lawsuit.
This piece has been updated regarding Olbermann’s sports biography and the length of his contract with Turner Broadcasting.
