Keith Olbermann Leaving ESPN for Second Time After Network Doesn't Renew His Contract

"We ultimately made a business decision to move in another direction," network says

Keith Olbermann's second tour of duty with ESPN is officially over.

ESPN said in a statement, "Keith is a tremendous talent who has consistently done timely, entertaining and thought-provoking work since returning to ESPN." The network added, "While the show's content was distinctive and extremely high quality, we ultimately made a business decision to move in another direction. We wish Keith nothing but the best and trust that his skill and ability will lead him to another promising endeavor."

According to a tweet from James Andrew Miller, the co-author of ESPN's Those Guys Have All The Fun, reps for both Olbermann and the network negotiated over a potential new deal for the bombastic personality, but ultimately one wasn't reached and his contract was not renewed. 

According to Miller, it was a "business decision" not to renew Olbermann's deal, with the network wanting the split to be amicable. Olbermann two-year contract with the network ends at the end of the month. 

Even though his public incidents with ESPN were more tame than with previous networks, Olbermann had been suspended by the network back in February over a twitter feud about Penn State in which Olbermann himself tweeted was "stupid and childish."

Also Olbermann's commentaries about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and USA soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo drew lots of controversy, with The Hollywood Reporter saying a new deal with ESPN was contingent that he stop doing commentaries, something ESPN denied. 

The worldwide leader cut ties with another Goodell adversary, Bill Simmons, back in May, with ESPN president John Skipper saying after contract negotiations it was "time to move on."

Skipper's statement on Simmons is very similar to the one released on Olbermann, with the network also saying their "relationship with Bill has been mutually beneficial - he has produced great content for us for many years and ESPN has provided him many new opportunities to spread his wings."

Reps for Olbermann have not returned a request for comment.