ESPN Ends 'Around the Horn' After 23 Years

ESPN's long-running sports debate show "Around the Horn," hosted by Tony Reali for over two decades, is concluding its 23-year run with a final episode airing on May 23. The show, which transformed sports television by popularizing a format featuring sportswriters debating daily sports topics and earning points from the host, has been celebrated for its diverse cast and broad coverage beyond major sports like NFL and NBA. Despite solid ratings and a loyal fan base, ESPN decided to cancel the show, citing factors such as a perception of the show being old-fashioned, its lower viral appeal, and a strategic pivot toward different programming styles. Reali downplayed speculation that politics or the show's supposed "wokeness" played a role in the cancellation, emphasizing the show's varied topics and heartfelt approach. The cancellation marks the end of an era that influenced how sports journalism and debate are presented, as the show helped launch the careers of many sportswriters and created a unique niche in sports media. While no replacement has been announced, "Around the Horn" leaves a legacy as a refined, influential program distinct from ESPN's current, more confrontational debate shows.