Keith Olbermann Is Leaving ESPN. Again.

The Big Lead reported this was very likely to happen last week, saying the station asked Olbermann to “dial down” his criticisms of Roger Goodell and the NFL during most of his shows. Despite being on point for most, if not all, of his criticisms about Goodell, ESPN reportedly was less than thrilled how often Olbermann would skewer the biggest sports league in the world, for all intents and purposes.

Two years after President John Skipper brought Keith Olbermann back to ESPN, multiple sources within the company say that contract negotiations with Olbermann recently broke down, and according to a person with knowledge of those negotiations, there’s “a 90% chance” he won’t return to the network this Fall.

But it might not just about money. It seems ESPN is unhappy with Olbermann’s “commentary” on his weekday TV show, in which he has regularly gone after power players in sports, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The report continued, saying money issues would probably be the breaking point between the two sides.

The money issues at ESPN are undeniable. Sources say ESPN President John Skipper was recently told by Disney to slash about $100 million from the 2016 budget, and an estimated $250 million from the 2017 budget.

Money was the driving force behind the pulling of ESPN radio show Mike & Mike from its highly-publicized move to New York City. And, the studio ESPN would have used for that show is the one that currently hosts the Olbermann show.

During his contract negotiations, ESPN tried to sell Olbermann on a move to Bristol or Los Angeles – another cost-cutting attempt to save money on expensive midtown Manhattan real estate – in addition to asking him to dial down the commentary.

Not a week later, and Olbermann is finished at ESPN. Well, finished after July 31st.

If you’ll remember, recently retired from radio icon, Tony Bruno, was a weekly guest on Olbermann’s ESPN show. Maybe they’ll give Bruno that slot now.