As the final episode of Around the Horn approaches on Friday, many have offered theories on why ESPN decided to cancel the long-running show.
That includes longtime panelist Sarah Spain, who noted the diversity the daily debate show brought to ESPN’s airwaves.
“It confounds me that they are canceling it,” Spain told The Washington Post as a part of a long-form feature on the end of the show. “The format allows for a continuous stream of new people, to highlight reporters on your network. I’m admittedly biased, but this is progressive voices and people of color you’re taking off TV. I don’t know for sure that’s their intention, but are you so scared of getting called ‘woke’?”
The idea that politics may have played a role in Around the Horn’s demise isn’t necessarily a unique one. In fact, it’s a theory that’s been shared by its supporters and critics alike.
While Spain has obviously been supportive of the show’s progressive nature, one of its original stars, Jay Mariotti, was quick to claim that Around the Horn had gotten “too woke,” which he cited as a reason for its cancellation. Earlier this week, Tony Reali, disputed that notion during a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.
“I don’t believe what that is,” Reali told Patrick. “I honestly think we did 50,000 topics over 23 years. You’re going to tell me 10 or 15 drew an eyebrow up? I’ll be like, ‘Yeah, we were doing some complex topics from time to time.’ I don’t mute people in Face Time, so maybe there’s two or three there that didn’t have the back-and-forth that you’d want. Maybe there’s one or two I’d take back if you ask me; those aren’t my regrets. Not at all.”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s company line has been that the decision to end Around the Horn wasn’t about the show being “woke” or ratings, but rather a reality of the network’s current evolution. But without a full-time replacement for ATH in place, it’s tough to know what that actually means. And until we find out, theories like the ones offered by Spain and Mariotti — albeit from opposing viewpoints — will likely persist.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.