Tony Reali Breaks Silence On 'Around The Horn' Getting Canceled

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 4:44 PM ET

For all but two years of Around The Horn's run, Tony Reali has been the host of the iconic sports discussion show. But with the show that's been such a big part of his life for decades, coming to an end, he's giving some final thoughts.

Appearing on The Dan Le Batard Show, Reali said that he's excited for his future despite effectively becoming a "free agent" in sports media now that ESPN is pulling the plug. He said that he feels that the decision wasn't based on ratings.

“I don’t look at ratings. I’m a guy who’s like, ‘if you build it, they will come,'” Reali said. “I feel very confident. I know that this wasn’t [a ratings] decision. We’re all hired to say goodbye to a show at some point, and I recognize what that is. This is not about that for me."

Reali made it clear that he's "hungry" for what the future holds in store for him but admitted that he was initially sad when he first got the news.

“I can still eat. I’m hungry and I’m happy. And I know everybody who I work with, they can still eat. Everybody can still eat, and there’s a lot of food to go around,” Reali said. “It’s important to me to show people that that next day when you get the news, whatever you get, you still come up and you still approach the day however you want to approach it. I was sad yesterday, and I can be full in that feeling of sadness and happiness. I’m still sad today, and I can be happy in other parts of me.”

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

Around The Horn has been one of ESPN's last true "fun" shows that they've regularly done. A panel of four guests gives their best takes and responses to various questions from Reali on the major pressing sports questions of the day.

It's been a well-regarded show for decades even if it doesn't get the monster ratings that shows like First Take does.

Reali is still in his mid-40s and may have a bright future in sports media ahead of him if it's something he still wishes to pursue.

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

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