Former ESPN Colleagues Clash Over 'Around The Horn' Cancellation Amid 'Woke' Claims
Sarah Johnson
March 9, 2025
Brief
ESPN's 'Around The Horn' ends after 23 years, sparking debate among former panelists over alleged political influence and the show's lasting impact on sports commentary.
ESPN recently announced that its iconic sports debate show "Around The Horn" will air its final episode on May 23, marking the end of a nearly 23-year run. The decision has sparked a heated exchange between former panelists, with claims that the show’s cancellation is tied to alleged political leanings.
Jay Mariotti, a former regular on the show until his departure following a 2010 domestic violence arrest, stirred the pot with comments made during a recent interview. He attributed the show's end to it going "woke," claiming that the inclusion of anti-Trump voices under then-ESPN president John Skipper led to a loss in audience. Mariotti specifically mentioned sports personalities Jemele Hill and Michael Smith in his criticism.
In a post on his Substack titled "Around the Horn ended a long time ago - when I left the show," Mariotti doubled down, alleging that some panelists had gone "woke" and others were "on dope." Subtle, right?
The remarks didn’t sit well with Jemele Hill, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer her perspective. "I don’t really appreciate Jay bringing my name into this or my friend Michael Smith," she wrote. Hill pointed out that she joined "Around The Horn" in 2007 or 2008, long before Donald Trump’s presidency, calling Mariotti’s statement "just a dumb comment."
Hill also defended the legacy of the show, highlighting its role in amplifying diverse voices and propelling careers—including her own. "The beauty of ATH is that it was a mechanism to get a variety of voices on air. Having a run of over 20 years in sports television is a testament to what an institution this show became," she noted.
After her time on "Around The Horn," Hill went on to co-host a version of SportsCenter with Smith before leaving ESPN to join The Atlantic.
The curtain will officially fall on "Around The Horn" in May, and while its impact on sports commentary is undeniable, it seems the drama surrounding its conclusion is just getting started. Stay tuned.
Topics
Editor's Comments
Jay Mariotti sure knows how to stir up trouble, doesn’t he? I mean, calling former colleagues 'woke' and 'on dope'—what a way to bow out of relevance. Meanwhile, Jemele Hill’s clapback was the real MVP move here. Her defense of the show's legacy as a platform for diverse voices is a reminder of the good this show brought to sports media. Still, 23 years is a long run; maybe it’s just time to pass the mic.
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
If you find this article interesting, feel free to share it with your friends!
Thank you for your support! Sharing is the greatest encouragement for us.
