Frank Isola comments on Michael Wilbon naming him preferred 'PTI' co-host when Tony Kornheiser retires

ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" is the highest-rated sports program on television, a distinction it has held for much of its near 25-year run.

The show's simple format remains largely the same, as do its two co-hosts. ESPN has had little reason to tweak the format or cast. That is unlikely to change while Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon remain.

Sources tell OutKick that the co-hosts signed new three-year deals earlier this year, with the expectation that both will fulfill their contracts. Still, both have made more than enough money to walk away at any time of their own accord. Kornheiser is 78 years old. Wilbon turns 68 in November.

Wilbon, who is 10 years younger than Kornheiser, was asked by Awful Announcing this week whether he has pondered hosting the show if Kornheiser retires before him.

"We do, because we do," Wilbon said when asked if he's considered continuing the show without his long-time partners. "With substitutes all along the whole 24 years. Could I see doing a show with Frank Isola, who I do the show mostly with now when Tonys out? Yeah, I could do that. And I think Frank is like Tony and me, and I say that as a point of inclusion, not for anybody to read anything into it. PTI is Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. Thats what PTI is. But Frank is like the last of the Mohicans."

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For background, I've had the opportunity to interview Wilbon on several occasions. He first told me roughly eight years ago that Frank Isola, a former newspaper writer, was his preferred co-host if the show continued without Kornheiser.

What's interesting is that Kornheiser and Wilbon have been doing "PTI" long enough to outlast several of the people once viewed as logical successors.

Jason Whitlock and Dan Le Batard were once regular fill-in hosts and had relationships with "PTI" showrunner Erik Rydholm. Kornheiser once named Rachel Nichols, a fellow former Washington Post reporter, and Pablo Torre as potential successors at one point.

When Scott Van Pelt moved back to Washington, D.C., where PTI is filmed, in 2020, there was industry chatter that he could be a fit for the next iteration of the show.

That's not to say Isola will fall out of favor, but rather to emphasize that Kornheiser and Wilbon have already lasted longer than most outsiders expected.

In a text exchange with Isola, 59, he joked to OutKick that they may outlast him as well.

"Of course its beyond flattering, but Mike and Tony arent going anywhere. They still have the drive and passion to produce the best sports show on television. I see it firsthand. Its an honor and a thrill just to be called out of the bullpen," Isola told OutKick.

"Mick Jagger once had a great line about The Rolling Stones. He said Were not getting older were getting betterer. That was 40 years ago. So yeah, Ill probably beat them to retirement."

Kornheiser and Wilbon signing another contract in three years remains a possibility. In fact, some sources inside ESPN think it's more likely than not.

For one, ESPN has made accommodations for them. The network allows the "PTI" co-hosts to broadcast from their home studios and take much of the summer off. The job does not require the type of schedule or travel that might otherwise push two veteran broadcasters toward a lighter workload.

No matter your age, co-hosting a top-rated 30-minute sports show with one of your best friends for millions of dollars a year is hardly something you're anxious to relinquish.

Of course, Wilbon and Kornheiser have earned the flexibility t