Longtime ESPN anchor and reporter Bob Ley announced on Wednesday that he has decided to retire, and the sports media world wasted no time letting him know the impact he has made on the industry for the past several decades.
In a statement on Twitter, Ley revealed that he will be leaving ESPN at the end of the month to enjoy retirement. He insisted the decision was strictly his own and thanked the network for a successful relationship that spanned 40 years.
Too many folks to thank individually, right now, but know that I have you all in my mind and my heart. Some news to share: pic.twitter.com/Qydhpcy4MV
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) June 26, 2019
Ley, who has won multiple Emmy Awards, is currently the longest tenured employee at ESPN. His investigative reporting for “Outside the Lines” has made an impact on countless lives, and that was evident with the way some of his colleagues and rivals reacted to the news.
One of the greatest to ever to do it and a role model for an entire industry. Congratulations Bob. https://t.co/1Yei1Hq0iW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
All the best in retirement to a legend, a gentleman and a professional. It was an honor to be a guest on your show. You always treated me with respect and appreciation. Thank you. You are already missed and can’t be replaced. https://t.co/gj8XBxPwum
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 26, 2019
Yes @BobLeyESPN will be missed @espn Had so much fun in early days working with Bob / he truly was a Pro’s Pro / worked with me on the in & outs of studio analysis Bob truly enjoy life in retirement buddy ! @jksports pic.twitter.com/xI8VIAjhrx
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) June 26, 2019
Dan told a story yesterday on air. When he was 26 and trying to get a good job in sports media, he sent a tape and letter to Bob Ley. Bob was nice enough to mail back to Dan a page-and-a-half of notes and advice. A few years later Dan was on Sports Center with Bob Ley. https://t.co/CWrEhENt6d
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) June 26, 2019
Earning the respect and trust of your colleagues is something that I value, and when you get the handshake and wink/nod from the “General”, you know you have done something right. Bob Ley, you are the standard in our business. Everyone knows it. Thank you for all you have done. https://t.co/cEdgc2XFeG
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) June 26, 2019
An absolute legend and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet (those two don't often intersect in this world). He gave me and so many other reporters, who hadn't done much TV, a platform to talk about our stories on ESPN. Congratulations my friend. I can't wait for the B side. https://t.co/d9pRSEu52j
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 26, 2019
Congrats to one of the best the industry has ever seen. A pro’s pro. Just tough because journalism needs guys like Bob Ley now more than ever. https://t.co/E47Hu9SI0A
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 26, 2019
Happy retirement to @BobLeyESPN , one of the foundational pieces of ESPN and one if its best journalistic voices. https://t.co/BBSmMRNetw
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) June 26, 2019
Legendary career at ESPN. Incredible journalist. Professional role model to so many of us. https://t.co/VeMRSU5F5x
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) June 26, 2019
Ley announced last October that he was taking a six-month sabbatical from “Outside the Lines” to re-charge, and he has apparently decided that the retired life suits him.
