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ESPN Cancels ‘Around the Horn’ After 23-Year Run​

The show, which debuted in 2002 and has televised more than 4,900 episodes, will have its final edition May 23.

By Alex Weprin
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March 4, 2025 1:30pm
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One of the longest-running TV shows in sports is coming to an end.
ESPN says that its weekday debate series Around the Horn will televise its final episode on May 23, after 23 years and more than 4,900 episodes.
The 5 p.m. show, hosted by Tony Reali, sees a panel of sports commentators attempt to earn points from the host, or be muted if their takes aren’t up to snuff. The show debuted in 2002, and Reali has hosted it since 2004.
The panelists over the years have included a veritable who’s who of sports media personalities, including Jemele Hill, Bomani Jones, Mina Kimes, Woody Paige, Bill Plaschke, Bob Ryan, Sarah Spain, Pablo Torre and Clinton Yates, among many, many others.






ESPN says that it will air a 30-minute edition of SportsCenter at 5 after the show signs off, with further schedule updates to come at a later date.
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,” said David Roberts, ESPN executive VP and executive editor of sports news and entertainment. “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.”


ESPN is in the midst of overhauling its schedule, adding new talent while it cuts other talent loose, canceling some shows but bringing on others, and perhaps most notable culling some sports rights in favor of others (the company last week dumped MLB).
The changes are all being made in a bid to prepare for the launch of the upcoming direct-to-consumer service, with the company hoping to hold onto programming that it feels will resonate with that audience.
 

Final Buzzer Sounds On ‘Around The Horn’ As ESPN Cancels Show After 23 Years​

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Around the Horn canceled; end date

The clock will run out May 23 on ESPN's long-runninjg discussion show 'Around the Horn'ESPN
ESPN has canceled Around the Horn, one of its staple daily formats.
The game-style panel show hosted by Tony Reali will air its final episode air on Friday, May 23. A 30-minute edition of SportsCenter will fill the show’s weekday slot this coming summer at 5 p.m., leaving space for a potential new show in the fall.

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“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,” said David Roberts, ESPN Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment. “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.”
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Around the Horn debuted November 4, 2002. It features a rotating panel of national sports media figures who attempt to earn points – and avoid being muted by Reali – with their perspectives on the biggest sports news of the day. Frequent panelists have included 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. As of 2025, Paige was the all-time leader with 682 wins on the show. Its 23-year run produced more than 4,900 episodes.
 
All I watch on ESPN is Around the Horn and PTI

Once those shows are gone, ESPN will officially be just for sporting events only.
 


Oh shit, I read extend as more years.

They meant time!

ESPN has made overtures to expand the long-running hit featuring Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon from a half-hour to an hour. Kornheiser, 76, and Wilbon, 66, have been kibitzing on the 30-minute show for nearly a quarter century.​

I am so strongly against this. Don’t change shit about PTI, just let that time capsule exist as long as Tony and Mike are both healthy and willing.
 

Dave Portnoy criticizes Stephen A. Smith for treating LeBron James with ‘kid gloves’ after Bronny confrontation​

By
Erich Richter
Published March 7, 2025, 3:59 p.m. ET
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Dave Portnoy called out Stephen A. Smith on Friday for using the “kid glove treatment” on LeBron James after the Lakers superstar confronted the ESPN personality Thursday at the conclusion of the team’s 113-109 home win over the Knicks.
In a lengthy video posted to X, the Barstool Sports founder weighed in on the viral moment when the James appeared to tell Smith to keep son Bronny James’ name out of his mouth, as well as the “First Take” star’s assessment of the incident Friday morning, with Smith noting the exchange was coming from a “parent” and not an NBA superstar.
“This is one of the most ridiculous controversies in the history of civilization,” Portnoy said in the video. “LeBron doesn’t want Stephen A. or the people or the media talking about Bronny, who is a professional basketball player on one of the most storied franchises in the league. … What are we talking about here?”


LeBron James goes face to face with Stephen A. Smith. 6
LeBron James goes face to face with Stephen A. Smith.X

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“To go up to Stephen A. and say ‘Hey, you can’t talk about my kid,’ and then Stephen A. with kid gloves today on ‘First Take.’ If that’s anyone else he’s ripping this guy apart. … He’s a professional player. … What do you expect?
“… Stephen A., you’re better. I thought he was going to come out swinging and I get it, there’s a lot of pressure, you have connections and friends. But kid gloves today on ‘First Take.’ If that’s anybody else that came up to Stephen A. and is like, ‘Hey, don’t talk about my kid,’ but he’s like, that’s a father talking to me, his kid is in the NBA. You can’t talk about a kid in the NBA? Oh, this is disgusting.”
Footage of James’ tense exchange with Smith made the rounds on social media following Thursday’s game in Los Angeles, with Smith stating Friday on “First Take” he had no plans to address the matter but altered course when the clip went viral.
LeBron James goes face to face with Stephen A. Smith. 6
Footage of LeBron James’ confrontation with Stephen
A. Smith went viral in March 2025.X
Bronny James has had a tough time in the NBA so far, but is under the protection of his father LeBron. 6
Bronny James is in his first NBA season after being drafted
by the Lakers last summer.NBAE via Getty Images
“That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about his son,” Smith said.
“… That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me, that was a parent, that was a father. I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in that regard. By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and father who cares very, very deeply about his son, and based on some of the comments he had heard or shall I say I think he thought he heard, clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say, and he confronted me about it.”
Smith, who recently agreed to a $100 million deal to remain at ESPN, offered a level response Friday instead of one of his more boisterous takes.
Bronny James in action with dad Lebron James in January 2025.6
Bronny James in action with dad LeBron James in
January 2025.ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
6
Dave Portnoy is pictured in his video on Twitter.X, @stoolepresidente
And while Smith’s response caught Portnoy off guard, both media personalities agreed the catalyst of it all is James, not Bronny, who has struggled at the pro level since being drafted in the second round by the Lakers last year.
“He’s in a big boy league playing against big boy players and he stinks,” Portnoy said of the 20-year-old Lakers rookie. “And LeBron doesn’t want the media to talk about it? He’s going to go up to people and get in their face? What are we doing here?”
Portnoy said his “heart aches” for Bronny and lambasted James for putting his son “in this situation.”
Bronny James in action with dad Lebron James in January 2025.6
Bronny James in action with dad Lebron James in January 2025.Getty Images
“If you don’t want the media talking about how your son is overmatched and it looks like a Make-A-Wish. … To put him in this situation, it’s that ego on LeBron Sr.”
James and Bronny made NBA history in October when they became the first father-son duo to play together.
70
What do you think? Post a comment.
Bronny has since played in 18 games for the Lakers, averaging 1.4 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 4.2 minutes.
The Lakers have won eight straight games and are currently second in the Western Conference at 40-21.
 
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