November 16, 200619 yr WASHINGTON ? (AP) ? "Sports Machine,'' the syndicated sports highlight show that set the stage for ESPN and other national sports programming, will go off the air after 23 years when host George Michael steps down in March. Michael, who began the show in 1980 as a late-night local feature on WRC TV channel 4 in Washington, also is retiring as the station's sports director and weeknight sports anchor. Michael said he made the decision after NBC, which owns WRC, announced significant layoffs and staff cuts. "I told them, that if I have to lay anyone off, if I have to get rid of any of my staff, then I'm going to take the first bullet,'' Michael said. In 1984, "Sports Machine'' became the first nationally syndicated sports highlight show. It's now shown in 194 U.S. markets and 10 foreign countries. Michael has won more than 40 Emmy awards. He helped the TV careers of several national sports personalities. David Aldridge, Bonnie Bernstein, Tony Kornheiser, Joe Theismann and Michael Wilbon are among those who did their first on-air work alongside him. Damn i used to watch that show religiously...it is going to suck now that it is gone...but oh well turn ESPN back on
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