After what he calls an “amazing ride,” Mel Kiper Jr. said Wednesday he and co-host Dari Nowkhah are ending their weekend ESPN Radio show after a 14-year run.
The final Dari and Mel Show will air Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ET).
“After 14 years of many interesting discussions/debates, Kiper’s Callers, fantastic guests, Mikey C’s antics, and so much fun, Dari and I are hanging up our headphones and saying goodbye to the Dari and Mel Show on ESPN Radio,” Kiper wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Thank you to our loyal fans who have kept us going all these years. It’s been an amazing ride, especially getting to do it alongside my good friend, Dari Nowkhah.
“It’s not over yet though. Tune in this Saturday, May 4th, from 10am to 1:30pm EST on ESPN Radio for our final show.”
After 14 years of many interesting discussions/debates, Kiper’s Callers, fantastic guests, Mikey C’s antics, and so much fun, Dari and I are hanging up our headphones and saying goodbye to the Dari and Mel Show on ESPN radio. Thank you to our loyal fans who have kept us going all…
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) May 1, 2024
Kiper did not give a reason for the decision, and neither did Nowkhah, who responded to his tweet.
“Wait!! They are keeping us an extra half-hour on our final show!!??” Nowkhah joked. “I second all the Mel Man said. Doing this show with an incredible friend and group of friends every Sat for nearly 14 years has been unreal. I’m sad that it’s ending. But we will have a hell of a finale!”
Wait!! They are keeping us an extra half-hour on our final show!!??
I second all the Mel Man said. Doing this show with an incredible friend and group of friends every Sat for nearly 14 years has been unreal.
I’m sad that it’s ending. But we will have a hell of a finale! https://t.co/QVRA1MomOd
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) May 1, 2024
Some heavy hitters in the sports media world responded to the news. Mike Golic Jr. tweeted, “an incredible run! you guys were always so fun to listen to and work with. still in awe of the depth of your Bachelor/Bachelorette knowledge and was always glad it had a home on the weekends.”
an incredible run! you guys were always so fun to listen to and work with. still in awe of the depth of your Bachelor/Bachelorette knowledge and was always glad it had a home on the weekends.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) May 1, 2024
ESPN’s Matt Miller tweeted, “Such sad news. My Saturday mornings will never be the same.”
Such sad news. My Saturday mornings will never be the same.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 1, 2024
Both Kiper and Nowkhah have plenty of other duties to keep them busy at ESPN. Kiper just got done with yet another year covering the NFL Draft, and there’s been buzz the last couple of years that the veteran deserves a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the way he revolutionized draft coverage. Nowkhah is a host and anchor on ESPN’s SEC Network.
[Barrett Sports Media; Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ESPN]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.