ESPN’s ‘Around the Horn’ to Conclude After 23-Year Run

BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN announced Tuesday that its iconic sports discussion show “Around the Horn” will air its final episode on May 23. The program has been a staple of the network’s weekday lineup for over 23 years, producing more than 4,900 episodes since its debut on November 4, 2002.

“Around the Horn” features host Tony Reali along with a rotating panel of four national sports media personalities who engage in spirited debate on current sports topics, striving to earn points and avoid being muted by Reali. He has been hosting the show since February 2004, succeeding Max Kellerman, who moderated the show during its debut.

David Roberts, ESPN’s Executive Vice President and Executive Editor for Sports News and Entertainment, reflected on the show’s legacy, stating, “‘Around the Horn’ has had a remarkable run of more than two decades. 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 also expressed gratitude toward the production team, led by Erik Rydholm and Aaron Solomon, who have been integral to the show’s success since its inception.

Over the years, the program has featured many prominent sports commentators, including JA Adande, Kevin Blackistone, Tim Cowlishaw, Jemele Hill, Frank Isola, Bomani Jones, Mina Kimes, Jackie MacMullan, Woody Paige, Bill Plaschke, Bob Ryan, Ramona Shelburne, Sarah Spain, Pablo Torre, and Clinton Yates, among others.

In a significant programming change following the final episode, ESPN will replace “Around the Horn” with a 30-minute edition of “SportsCenter” airing at 5 p.m. ET on weekdays throughout the summer.

“We are excited to launch the new segment and continue providing our viewers with relevant sports news,” Roberts added. Further updates on ESPN’s weekday afternoon schedule will be announced as they develop.