Around The Horn - A Sports Show's Farewell

For more than two decades, a certain sports talk program has been a familiar presence for many viewers, sparking lively discussions and, for some, even a daily ritual. This particular program, known as "Around the Horn," has been a significant part of the sports media landscape, offering a unique blend of spirited debate and competitive banter. It's a show that, quite frankly, brought together a collection of sports writers and commentators to share their often very different points of view on the day's big stories from the world of athletics.

The show, which first appeared on November 4, 2002, took the spot of another program called "Unscripted with Chris Connelly." It aired every day at five o'clock in the afternoon, providing a consistent place for people to get their dose of sports talk. Over its considerable run, it became, you know, a pretty important fixture for many who followed sports closely, building a reputation for its distinct approach to discussing current events in the sports world.

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Recently, however, news began to circulate that this long-running show would be coming to an end. This development has, as you might guess, caused a good deal of disappointment among its loyal following. The idea of "Around the Horn" no longer being on the air has, in some respects, left many fans feeling a bit sad, given how much they had come to appreciate the program and its regular host, Tony Reali.

Table of Contents

• The Man Behind the Mic - Tony Reali
• What Exactly is Around the Horn?
• Why Did Around the Horn Get Cancelled?
• How Did Tony Reali Find Out About the End of Around the Horn?
• The Panelists and Their Thoughts on Around the Horn
• A Look at the Numbers and Legacy of Around the Horn
• What Comes Next for Tony Reali?
• Where Can You Still See Around the Horn?

The Man Behind the Mic - Tony Reali

Tony Reali, the person who has been the face and voice of "Around the Horn" for so long, has become, you know, a very familiar figure to countless viewers. He's the one who guided the discussions, kept things moving, and, in a way, managed the spirited back-and-forth between the sports writers. His presence really helped shape the feel of the program, making it something many people looked forward to watching each day. It’s almost like he was a central part of the show's identity, and his way of handling the conversations became a hallmark of the program.

When the news came out about the show's end, Tony Reali himself made sure to reach out to the fans. He used social media, apparently, to share his appreciation and to say thank you for all the backing they had given the show and him personally over the years. This gesture, it seems, showed his deep respect for the people who tuned in, really highlighting the connection he felt with the audience. It’s a pretty big deal when someone takes the time to express that kind of thanks, showing that the support from viewers truly meant something important to him.

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He has also, in fact, spoken openly about his feelings concerning the cancellation and what he might do in the days ahead. He shared that he truly values the program and all the connections he made while working on it. Yet, he also mentioned that he is prepared for new challenges and possibilities that might come his way. This perspective, you know, suggests a readiness to move forward, even while holding dear the memories and experiences from his time with "Around the Horn."

Tony Reali - Personal Details

What Exactly is Around the Horn?

"Around the Horn" is, in its very essence, an American sports discussion show. It takes the form of a roundtable, where a group of people, often sports journalists, come together to talk about the latest happenings in the world of sports. What makes it somewhat unique, though, is that it's set up like a kind of game. This game-like structure adds, you know, a bit of a competitive edge to the discussions, making it more than just a straightforward talk show.

The program, as a matter of fact, is put together by ESPN, a well-known name in sports broadcasting. It first aired on November 4, 2002, stepping into a time slot that used to be filled by "Unscripted with Chris Connelly." For many years, it was a daily fixture, showing up on screens at five o'clock in the afternoon. The idea was, you know, to have Tony Reali, the host, guide a group of journalists as they exchanged thoughts and opinions on the day's sports stories, all within that lively, competitive setup.

The show's format typically involved these journalists, each with their own distinct viewpoints, engaging in a kind of back-and-forth, sometimes a little bit of playful disagreement, about the big news items. This setup, you know, really allowed for a wide range of ideas to be shared, and it was often quite engaging to see how different people would react to the same piece of sports news. It’s fair to say that this particular style helped it stand out from other sports commentary shows.

Why Did Around the Horn Get Cancelled?

The news that "Around the Horn" would be ending certainly caught many people off guard. Fans, as you might expect, were quite upset when they heard that ESPN would be pulling the plug on the program, with an initial final air date given as May 23. This kind of news, you know, can be pretty disappointing for those who have grown accustomed to a show being a regular part of their day.

Interestingly, the network itself, ESPN, did not actually give a clear explanation for why they made this choice. There was no public statement, apparently, that laid out the specific reasons for the show's removal from their schedule. This lack of a stated reason, as a matter of fact, can sometimes make things feel a bit more confusing for the audience who are left wondering what happened.

However, it does seem that this decision might be part of something bigger. There's a sense that it's tied into a wider shift in how ESPN is planning its programming. Networks, generally speaking, are not in the business of getting rid of shows that are doing well. So, the fact that "Around the Horn" had been on for more than two decades, a pretty significant run by any measure, makes its cancellation, you know, seem like it must be connected to a larger strategic move, perhaps a change in how they want to present their content moving forward. It’s almost as if they are reshaping their overall lineup, and this show, for whatever reason, just didn't fit into the new picture.

It is also worth noting that sources told The Post that ESPN plans to "hit the mute button" on "Around the Horn," and that the show's "legendary run" of over two decades would actually conclude in the summer of 2025. This, you know, presents a somewhat different timeline from the May 23 date mentioned elsewhere, suggesting there might have been differing pieces of information or perhaps a change in plans over time.

How Did Tony Reali Find Out About the End of Around the Horn?

One of the more surprising aspects of this whole situation is how Tony Reali, the host himself, found out about the show's cancellation. It turns out that he learned about it, you know, not directly from ESPN, the network that produces the show, but rather from various media outlets. This is, to be honest, a rather unusual way for someone in his position to receive such important news about his own program.

It suggests a bit of a disconnect, perhaps, between the network's internal communication and the host who had been the face of "Around the Horn" for so long. Learning about something like this through the news, rather than a direct conversation with his employer, can, you know, certainly feel a little bit jarring. It makes you wonder about the process behind such big decisions and how they are communicated to the people most involved.

Tony Reali later joined Dan Patrick, a well-known sports broadcaster, to talk about his feelings regarding ESPN's choice to cancel "Around the Horn." During that conversation, he shared his thoughts on why he believed this somewhat controversial decision was made. He also talked about how he heard the news, which, as we know, was not directly from the network. This kind of open sharing, you know, gives people a better sense of what it was like for him during that time. He also, apparently, spoke about who he admires in the industry and what his future plans might involve, giving listeners a more complete picture of his perspective.

The Panelists and Their Thoughts on Around the Horn

The show "Around the Horn" was, in a way, built on the contributions of its various panelists, the journalists and commentators who brought their distinct voices to the discussions. These individuals, you know, played a very important part in making the show what it was, offering different angles and sometimes even clashing viewpoints that made for lively television.

Interestingly, after the cancellation was announced, some of these very panelists found themselves disagreeing about the situation. Jemele Hill and Jay Mariotti, both of whom had been regular participants on "Around the Horn," reportedly found themselves at odds regarding the show's ending after its 23-year run. This kind of disagreement, you know, is not entirely surprising, as people can have very different reactions to such significant news, especially when they have been so closely involved with something for a long period.

On a more positive note, columnist Bill Plaschke, another regular on the program, shared a somewhat heartwarming perspective. While he might not have racked up the most victories during his time on ESPN's "Around the Horn" – a nod to the show's competitive game format – he did, in fact, gain something far more meaningful. He spoke about how he found what he called a "second family" among his fellow panelists and the people he worked with. He also, apparently, gained a following of "ardent fans," people who truly enjoyed his contributions to the show. This really shows that beyond the debates and scores, the program fostered genuine connections among those involved, and with its audience.

A Look at the Numbers and Legacy of Around the Horn

When you consider the full scope of "Around the Horn," the numbers alone tell a pretty compelling story. The show had been a consistent presence on ESPN for more than two decades, a very considerable amount of time for any television program, let alone a daily one. Over this extensive period, it aired more than 4,900 individual episodes. That's, you know, a truly remarkable number of broadcasts, each one featuring lively discussions about sports.

Tony Reali, the host, made a very poignant statement as the show signed off the air on a Friday. He declared that "sports is connection." This simple phrase, you know, really sums up what the program aimed to do: to bring people together through their shared passion for sports, even if it was through spirited disagreement. It speaks to the idea that sports, at their core, are about more than just games; they are about the bonds and conversations they create among people.

The show had, by all accounts, what could be described as a "remarkable run." For over two decades, it served as a "staple daily format" for ESPN, meaning it was a reliable and consistent part of their schedule. The fact that television networks, whether they focus on sports or other kinds of content, typically do not cancel programs that are doing well, adds a layer of intrigue to its ending. It suggests that despite its long history and consistent presence, there were other factors at play that led to its conclusion. It’s almost like a testament to its staying power that it lasted so long, yet its departure still leaves many wondering.

What Comes Next for Tony Reali?

Tony Reali has been quite open about his feelings concerning the cancellation of "Around the Horn" and, perhaps more importantly, what he plans to do next. He has made it clear that while he holds a deep appreciation for the show and the many connections he forged during his time there, he is also, you know, very much ready for new opportunities and different challenges. This outlook suggests a forward-looking approach, even as he reflects on a significant chapter of his professional life.

He joined Dan Patrick to share a bit more about his future plans. During that conversation, he talked about who he looks up to in the industry, which can sometimes give a hint about the kind of path someone might want to follow. He also, apparently, discussed other aspects of what his next steps might be. It’s fair to say that someone with his experience and public recognition will likely find interesting new projects to pursue, whether they are in sports media or perhaps even something different.

His willingness to embrace new challenges, you know, speaks to a certain resilience and adaptability. After being the host of a daily program for over two decades, the prospect of something fresh can be both a bit unsettling and, at the same time, quite exciting. It shows that he is prepared to take on whatever comes next, carrying with him the valuable experiences and relationships he built during his long tenure with "Around the Horn."

Where Can You Still See Around the Horn?

Even with the news of its eventual conclusion, fans who want to catch up on "Around the Horn" can still do so, at least for a period. The latest episodes of the program are available for streaming on Watch ESPN. This means that, you know, if you missed a recent broadcast or simply want to revisit some of the lively discussions, you have a place to go to catch up.

This accessibility allows viewers to continue to see Tony Reali and the various journalists as they engage in their characteristic banter about the sports stories of the day. The competitive game format, which was a core part of the show's identity, is still there to be seen in these streamed episodes. It’s a way for people to experience the show's unique style, perhaps for the last time, depending on when they tune in.

The availability of these episodes, you know, offers a chance for fans to appreciate the program's long history and the way it brought different sports perspectives to the forefront. It’s a way to acknowledge the significant run the show had and to perhaps say a quiet farewell to a program that, for many, was a daily companion in their sports viewing habits.

This article has explored "Around the Horn," an American sports roundtable discussion show produced by ESPN, which premiered on November 4, 2002. It covered the show's format as a panel game where host Tony Reali and journalists debated daily sports stories. The piece detailed the upset among fans following the show's cancellation, with initial reports indicating a May 23 end date, though other sources suggested a summer 2025 conclusion. It highlighted Tony Reali's gratitude to fans, his learning of the cancellation through media, and ESPN's unstated reasons, possibly linked to a programming shift. The article also touched on Reali's future plans, the differing reactions of panelists like Jemele Hill and Jay Mariotti, and Bill Plaschke's positive experience gaining a "second family." Finally, it noted the show's extensive run of over 23 years and more than 4,900 episodes, and the availability of recent episodes on Watch ESPN.