‘Around the Horn’ Stars React to ESPN Show Getting Axed After 23 Years

Martin Holmes
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Around the Horn panelists
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ESPN’s Around the Horn is coming to an end after 23 years on the air, and many of its stars are heartbroken over the news.

The network announced on Tuesday (March 4) that the long-running sports debate series will air its final episode on May 23, ending the hit show over two decades since it debuted on November 4, 2002.

Originally debuting as a replacement for Unscripted with Chris Connelly, Around the Horn has become an institution at ESPN, airing at 5:00 p.m. ET on the network for 23 years, with almost 5,000 episodes aired.

The show sees Tony Reali, who has hosted since February 2004 when he took over from Max Kellerman, discussing the day’s biggest sports news with a rotating line-up of panelists. The panelists, including the likes of Woody Paige, Jemele Hill, Bill Plaschke, and Mina Kimes, compete for points and try to avoid being muted by Reali.

“Around the Horn has had a remarkable run of more than two decades,” said David Roberts, who’s an executive vice president and executive editor for sports news and entertainment at ESPN. “That kind of longevity in media is incredibly rare, and we look forward to celebrating the show’s many accomplishments before the final sign-off in May.”

He continued, “Beyond Tony and the ensemble of on-air contributors, we are particularly grateful to the production team led by Erik Rydholm and Aaron Solomon, who have been instrumental in ATH’s consistent success since the very beginning.”

Following the news of the show’s cancelation, many of Around the Horn‘s stars took to social media to share their reactions, including Reali, who wrote on X, “Thank you guys, I’m overwhelmed but I’ll try to give FaceTimes to you all! Between this and Ash Wednesday this is my busy season!”

Reali also quoted the final lines from Guns N’ Roses “Rocket Queen,” writing, “All I ever wanted / Was for you / To know that I care.”

Paige, the show’s most frequent panelist and highest points-getter, also commented on X, stating, “My records will never be broken. But my heart is broken.” He also joked, “Sorry to hear that frat houses and bars no longer will have shots of fireball every time I’m muted.”

Many other panelists shared their thoughts, including David Dennis Jr., who wrote, “I didn’t even think about the possibility of being on TV until Around The Horn. It never gets old that I’m on the show I watched as a kid. I owe so much to this place and especially @TonyReali who is one of the most generous, genuine people I’ve ever known.”

“The show that gave me the confidence to even believe someone like me could do TV,” Kimes shared. “Will be forever grateful to the producers, and also @TonyReali, who models kindness and intelligence in a way that’s all too rare these days.”

“23 years!!! What a shift,” Emily Kaplan added.

ESPN is scheduled to replace Around the Horn this summer with 30-minute editions of SportsCenter.

What do you think of Around the Horn coming to an end? Will you miss the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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  1. C

    CyanTag

    What a boneheaded decision, canceling one of the two best sports talk shows on television. Tony and the rotating panel represent the best in sports reporting. Thanks for a wonderful run everyone!

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  2. O

    OliveBeer

    ATH and PTI are my favorite shows...what idiot would think that canceling ATH is a good idea. Once PTI is gone so is ESPN. I still miss the Sports Reporters. These shows were always on my schedule to watch...ATH will be missed!

    3

  3. O

    OliveProcessor

    Sad, will really miss. Been a part of my day since the beginning.

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  4. F

    fucktrump

    what a goddamn load of horseshit.i bet his is a disney move.

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  5. B

    BlueCactus

    This is sad! I’ve missed maybe 10 episodes in the past 20 years - I listen to the pod. So much better than the other “debate” shows- yes, even Pardon The Interruption.

    3 1

  6. R

    RedQuill

    Yup! I got in within the first few weeks & have NOT MISSED even ONE EP (series recording). And far more entertaining than PTI!

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  7. R

    RedQuill

    I am incensed & heartbroken! I found out that there were so many more Women who had even MORE of a passion for Sports than even i! And for what, another lame (no offense or maybe yes) airing of 'Sports Center!' Pahleese. So many Women who will now be ran back in to the shadows, not all, but most. We had Jackie Mac & Jemele Hill & Sarah Spain & Mina Kimes & Monica McNutt & Courtney Cronin, Kate Fagan, Emily Kaplan, Jen Lada & others i can't quite recall at the moment. I really thought this Show would outlive me, yet even in my 70's - turns out it did not! Very SAD Times Indeed! I didn't b4 & shan't be replacing now - Any OTHER Scripted Programs! My Apologies for some Misspellings!!

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