Tim Cowlishaw Takes Swipe at ESPN as Around the Horn Ends 22-Year Run

After a spirited 22-year run, ESPN's Around the Horn signed off for the final time on Friday, leaving fans nostalgic and one of its veteran panelists, Tim Cowlishaw, with a parting shot at the network's evolving direction. The show, a lively debate platform for journalists dissecting the day's sports stories, was a staple of ESPN's 5 p.m. ET hour alongside Pardon The Interruption.

Cowlishaw, a fixture on the show since 2002, didn’t hold back in his final remarks. "I want to thank ESPN for the opportunity I did not seek and never expected to get," he said, before pointing out the network’s shift toward prioritizing former athletes over seasoned journalists. "ESPN is currently gearing itself more toward hiring athletes instead of journalists," he noted, a subtle jab at the changing face of sports media.

The pivot is evident in ESPN’s lineup, now dominated by ex-athletes like Pat McAfee, Jason Kelce, Kendrick Perkins, and Ryan Clark, who bring charisma and insider perspectives but signal a departure from the journalist-driven commentary that defined shows like Around the Horn. This transition reflects a broader trend in sports media, favoring star power and personal anecdotes over traditional reporting.

Cowlishaw, ever the professional, wrapped his farewell with humor and humility: "We had a wonderful 22 years on a show where I felt imposter syndrome every time I walked into this studio." He wished the next show in the time slot well, adding with a wink, "I’ll be counting." ESPN has yet to reveal what will fill the void left by the show’s departure.

For fans, the end of Around the Horn marks the close of an era where quick-witted journalists sparred over sports with passion and insight. Its legacy? A reminder that great debates don’t always need a playbook—just a sharp mind and a sharper tongue.