Keith Olbermann is looking to return to ESPN.

The former MSNBC and Current TV presenter - who worked for the adrenaline-fuelled channel between 1992 and 1997, helping its signature 'SportsCentre' show become a hit - has had talks with station president John Skipper about a return.

John told the New York Times newspaper: ''Keith Olbermann, both personally and through a couple people I know, reached out to say, 'Gee, I would love to have dinner.' I agreed to dinner with Keith because I assumed he'd be provocative and witty and fun to have dinner with, and he was indeed lots of fun.

''We talked sports and politics, and we had a nice chat. He is very interesting. Clearly he was looking to see if there was an entry point to come back.''

Although Keith, 54, wouldn't comment on talks about returning, he confirmed he did have dinner with the ESPN president.

He said: ''I had the privilege to spend some time with John Skipper. His vision and charm were readily apparent, and judging by his leadership, his family name was prophetic.''

Representatives for the TV presenter have reportedly reached out to high-levelled executives at the sports channel, but John revealed a job offer is not imminent.

He said: ''After the dinner, at that point, there was no real appropriate place for Keith to come back, nor did I feel like I was prepared to bring him back.''