Keith Olbermann Viciously Attacks Ex-ESPN Colleague Linda Cohn Over Auston Matthews Olympics Take

By Sports Media Desk

NEW YORK — Former longtime Keith Olbermann and ex-ESPN host launched a blistering social media attack on fellow former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn this week after a disagreement over her comments related to Auston Matthews and the U.S. men’s hockey team’s recent Olympic celebration.

The online feud began when Cohn responded to an opinion piece in the Toronto Star criticizing Matthews for visiting the White House with Team USA following their gold-medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics — and for potentially prioritizing that appearance over his NHL duties with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Cohn pushed back on the column, telling the writer to “be better” and suggesting the opinion did not reflect actual Leafs fans.

🔥 Olbermann’s Scathing Response

Olbermann took to X to defend Cohn’s critics, calling her a “self-obsessed politically motivated clown” and accusing her of insisting that “HER leanings are sacrosanct” while dismissing other viewpoints. His attack pointedly rebuked Cohn’s reaction to the Matthews commentary and accused her of hypocrisy — a sharp public rebuke from two broadcasters who once co-hosted shows at ESPN.

💬 Cohn Fires Back

Cohn did not stay silent. Also posting on X, she hit back at Olbermann’s personal remarks, calling them “gaslighting and bullying” and dismissing claims about her relevance since departing mainstream sports media. She acknowledged their shared history at ESPN but made it clear she rejected his characterization.

🏒 The Broader Context

The dispute underlines the cultural flashpoints surrounding athletes, politics and media commentary. Matthews’ visit to the White House — a longstanding tradition for American champions — became a lightning rod this year because of the political climate, including reactions to current political leaders. Cohn’s defense of the Olympic tradition ignited a broader debate that quickly shifted into a personal clash between two veteran media figures.

📲 Online Reaction

Supporters and critics alike have weighed in, with some siding with Cohn’s defense of Matthews and others applauding Olbermann’s blunt takedown. The exchange highlights how sports commentary now frequently intersects with politics, social media, and personal reputations — especially when two high-profile personalities clash.

As the feud continues to draw attention, both figures remain active voices in their respective corners of the sports and media world.