‘Pardon the Interruption’ has shaped modern sports media, for better or for worse

The concept was simple: The two journalism veterans had a list of topics to discuss and a set amount of time before moving onto the next news. There was banter, there was arguments, there were gags and there certainly were disagreements, but it was understood that it was for the show, and once the clock stopped, the dialogue stopped and moved on, no harm no foul.

At the end of the show, "PTI" wanted to make sure everything was factually correct and had “Stat Boy” Tony Reali fix the mistakes, like what all good journalists do.

“PTI” and “Around the Horn” anchored the 5 p.m. EST block on ESPN, making a big impression on many sports fans young and old, myself included, leading into the big 6 p.m. “SportsCenter” previewing the night’s big games.

As “PTI” grew, and as the rise of the internet and podcasting grew, the idea of “PTI” was copied, but the main focus was quickly slipping away. People, and networks, latched onto the idea of the debate, going back and forth on a topic until a resolution was met or time ran out.

Kornheiser and Wilbon became personalities out of spite just because of how popular the show was and others felt the need to do the same and that’s what a lot of modern sports media turned into: personalities arguing and debating.

“PTI” was often duplicated but never replicated.

It’s unfortunate that some the legacy of “PTI” devolved into this because that is only a part of the show’s charm. “PTI” was about the debate, sure, but it was also about two coworkers and two friends discussing what they loved, sports, throwing in bits and gags in-between to make each other and the audience laugh, and at the end of the day it was about journalistic integrity and making sure everything was right thanks to “Stat Boy” cleaning things up.

“PTI” will continue to live on as Kornheiser and Wilbon both signed three-year extensions with ESPN last year, taking them into 2028.

The show will essentially end when the duo decides it will end, and despite Wilbon’s recent claims that ESPN doesn’t promote “PTI” and focuses on other shows, the network doesn’t really need to anymore. “PTI” has name value, it’s still thriving after all this time and it has left its permanent mark on sports media, for better or for worse.