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Beloved 'Around The Horn' Panelist Takes Shot At ESPN During Final Show

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated May 23, 2025 8:41 PM ET

The final episode of "Around the Horn" officially aired this Friday on ESPN. It was a bittersweet day for everyone involved.

Tony Reali has earned plenty of recognition over the past two decades for hosting "Around the Horn" with class. That being said, what really makes the show work is the banter among all the panelists, such as Woody Paige, Tim Cowlishaw, Bill Plaschke, Kevin Blackistone and J.A. Adande.

Over the past 23 years, ESPN viewers have been treated to 4,953 episodes of "Around the Horn." During the final episode, Cowlishaw and several other panelists received a well-deserved send-off.

Cowlishaw started off his final "Face Time" by thanking the fans. He then turned his attention over to ESPN.

Believe it or not, Cowlishaw threw shade at ESPN's recent hires.

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 31: Sports journalists Tony Reali and Tim Cowlishaw attend ESPN The Party at Basketball City - Pier 36 - South Street on January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images For ESPN)Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

"I want to thank ESPN for the opportunity that I did not seek and never expected to get back in 2002," Cowlishaw said. "I’d also like to say that while ESPN is currently gearing itself more toward hiring athletes instead of journalists, did you not see the 32 points I scored in an intramural game. Were you not aware of my birdies on 8 and 16 at Augusta back in 2002?"

Cowlishaw continued his statement by wishing ESPN's next 5 p.m. show all the best.

"We had a wonderful 22 years on a show where I felt imposter syndrome every time I walked into this studio. I hope the people on the next show in this time slot have as much fun and bring as many smiles over the next 22 years. I’ll be counting."

Tim Cowlishaw with some pointed words toward ESPN in his final Face Time on 'Around the Horn': pic.twitter.com/qyMSXZI7uG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 23, 2025

After Cowlishaw finished his "Face Time" segment, Reali explained the show's complicated scoring system.

Reali, who was once known as "Stat Boy," signed off by sharing the final number of wins for every panelist. Paige finished as the all-time leader with 700 wins.

We can't speak for everyone, but we're certainly going to miss "Around the Horn."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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