The End of an Era: Sports Talk Show Wraps Up After 23 Years

A popular sports talk show bid farewell after a long run. The host, Tony Reali, started the final episode with a playful nod to a famous movie. He took viewers on a tour of the studio, showing off the control room and backstage areas. Family and crew members waved goodbye as the iconic song "Then He Kissed Me" played in the background. The show, which featured 61 sports journalists over the years, ended with a touching segment. Reali reflected on his journey, mentioning that he joined the show at the age of 24. He had previously worked on another ESPN talk show called "Pardon the Interruption. " Reali expressed gratitude, saying the show helped him grow both personally and professionally. The final episode included a panel of eight accomplished sports journalists. They discussed their experiences and shared sentimental moments. The conversation briefly touched on who the greatest athlete of the show's run was, with LeBron James being the consensus pick. However, the focus was more on the personal connections and memories shared by the panelists. Reali emphasized the importance of connection in sports. He noted that sports bring people together, evoking both laughter and tears. Despite the show's end, Reali encouraged viewers to continue the debate and find him on his new YouTube channel, Team Reali. He also mentioned his website, tonyreali. com, where fans can stay updated on his future endeavors. The show's cancellation was announced in March, but the reason remains unclear. Speculations point to economic pressures within the Disney sports division. ESPN has made several cost-saving moves recently, including ending a production of SportsCenter in Los Angeles and exiting a multi-year rights deal with Major League Baseball. Reali is under contract with ESPN until August and has been exploring various options for his next move. The 5 p. m. time slot on ESPN will still feature "PTI, " hosted by Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. For now, a 30-minute edition of SportsCenter will precede it. This change marks the end of an era for sports enthusiasts who have grown accustomed to the lively debates and insights provided by "Around the Horn. "