Ariel Helwani Announces Departure From ESPN
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani and ESPN have mutually agreed to part ways, the 38-year old Canadian has long been one of the premier insiders for the sport.
Helwani announced the split via a video statement posted on his Instagram account. He reflected on his three years with the worldwide leader in sports and revealed June 15 will be his last day with the company. While not stating what would be next for his career in the video, The New York Post’s Justin Tasch and Andrew Marchand have reported that Helwani will be heading to the Action Network.
“It’s been a great three-year run, there’s no hard feelings here,” Helwani said (h/t MMAJunkie). “ESPN did offer me a new contract. I signed for three years back in 2018. They offered me a new contract. I was given the opportunity to look at what was out there for me and I found a lot of exciting opportunities and a lot of things I think the fans will be pumped about, as I am as well.”
During his time at ESPN, Helwani co-hosted weekly shows with former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen. He previously worked for MMA Fighting and FOX Sports covering MMA, also being “banned for life” back in June 2016 at UFC 199 from covering or attending the promotion’s events after Helwani broke the news of Brock Lesnar’s return at UFC 200.
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