SVP for ESPN Audio, Traug Keller, made the announcement that, despite a lucrative offer, Ryen Russillo will not return to ESPN Radio next year. He’s been with the network for over eight years. Keller said Russillo, who hosted the 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. slot, has decided to pursue other opportunities when his contract expires next year. Russillo’s final day on the air will be this Friday.
Russillo said this was a tough decision. “ESPN Radio means a lot to me. Even though I won’t be sitting in a studio every day like I have for the last eight years, I’m looking forward to working on a podcast and still providing content for the company.”
On the air Wednesday, Russillo said, “I don’t have a lot of a life now. I don’t really have any balance. I’d be lying if I told you I was super happy lately. I know people who know me really well here, I don’t think they’re entirely surprised by this. So it would have to be something where I also felt like I was growing creatively outside of ESPN Radio — some other entities … I don’t know if that was going to happen.”
Back in August, Russillo was arrested after being found naked in a stranger’s condo while on vacation in Wyoming. After being suspended, Russillo returned to work at ESPN and took full responsibility for the arrest. He offered up a lengthy and sincere apology and made no excuses for what he did and he talked about how depressed he was after getting in trouble.
