ASU to honor ESPN duo with 43rd Walter Cronkite Award of Excellence in Journalism
Former Washington Post sportswriters Tony Kornheiser (left) and Michael Wilbon will accept their Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism at a special event on Feb. 16, 2027. Photo courtesy of ESPN
Arizona State University is set to honor ESPN sports journalists Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon with the 43rd Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Each year, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication honors prominent journalists with the Cronkite Award, named after the late CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite. Many accomplished journalists, including Wolf Blitzer, David Muir, Robin Roberts and Anderson Cooper, have received this prestigious award.
Want tickets to the awards ceremony?
When: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2027 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Get tickets here.
“Mike and I have been doing this together for more than 45 years between our time at The Washington Post and ('Pardon the Interruption'). Receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism is unexpected and an incredible honor — and being able to share it with Mike makes it all the more meaningful,” Kornheiser said.
“To receive an honor bearing Walter Cronkite’s name is humbling, because you immediately think about the standard he set for journalism. And to share it with Tony, my friend and partner for more than four decades, makes it even more special,” Wilbon said. “I’ve been fortunate to call Scottsdale home for a significant part of my life, so I feel a personal connection to the Cronkite School and I’m grateful that this recognition further strengthens that bond.”
Kornheiser and Wilbon have co-hosted ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” since it debuted 25 years ago, appearing in more than 3,000 episodes. Each day, they bring their sharp opinions and easy chemistry to a fast-paced rundown of sports’ biggest stories and moments. “PTI” is one of the longest-running daily shows in sports media history and ESPN’s most-viewed daily studio program. It has received three Sports Emmy Awards.
But their connection began long before television, in the newsroom at the The Washington Post. Kornheiser joined the paper in 1979 and went on to become a sports columnist. Wilbon arrived a year later as a sports reporter after two summer internships, eventually making the same move to columnist.
The pair continued working at The Washington Post while simultaneously starting “PTI” in 2001.
In addition to “PTI”, Kornheiser has hosted his own radio show, commentated for “Monday Night Football,” frequently contributed to “The Sports Reporters" and published three books. He now also hosts his own podcast, "The Tony Kornheiser Show."
Wilbon has contributed to ESPN’s NBA coverage for more than two decades, appears regularly as a panelist on “NBA Countdown,” has written columns for ESPN, has appeared on ESPN Radio and has co-written two books with former NBA player Charles Barkley.
“Wilbon and Kornheiser are the standard bearers when it comes to debating and analyzing sports,” said Battinto L. Batts Jr., dean of the Cronkite School. “I believe the biggest reason they have remained relevant all these years is because they are journalists, first, committed to the facts and informed opinion. That was their reputation at The Washington Post. That is their reputation at ESPN. We are pleased to honor them for their significant contributions to the industry."
Collectively, the duo has received The Washington Post’s prestigious Eugene Meyer Award, which recognizes employees who exemplify journalism, business sense and hard work just as the paper’s owner and publisher did.
Kornheiser and Wilbon will receive the 43rd Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism on Feb. 16, 2027, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. Tickets are available now.
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