**ESPN’s “Around the Horn” Concludes After 23 Years**
**Meta Description:** ESPN’s “Around the Horn” aired its final episode after nearly 23 years, with Tim Cowlishaw reflecting on the show’s legacy and ESPN’s shift towards hiring athletes.
**URL Slug:** espn-around-the-horn-final-episode
**Headline:** Tim Cowlishaw Reflects on “Around the Horn” as Show Ends After 23 Years
ESPN’s popular sports debate show “Around the Horn” aired its last episode on Friday, marking the end of a nearly 23-year run. Tim Cowlishaw, a long-time panelist on the show, took the opportunity during the finale to express his gratitude to ESPN while also critiquing the network’s evolving hiring practices.
In his closing remarks, Cowlishaw stated, “I want to thank ESPN for the opportunity that I did not seek and never expected to get back in 2002. I’d also like to say that while ESPN is currently gearing itself more toward hiring athletes instead of journalists.” This comment highlights a significant shift in ESPN’s programming strategy, as the network increasingly features former athletes in prominent roles, moving away from traditional sports journalism.
“Around the Horn” featured a rotating panel of journalists who engaged in lively discussions about current sports topics. However, with the network’s recent trend of prioritizing former athletes, many of its established shows are undergoing changes. Notable personalities on ESPN now include former athletes like Pat McAfee, Jason Kelce, Kendrick Perkins, and Ryan Clark.
Reflecting on his time with the show, Cowlishaw shared, “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.”
As of now, ESPN has not announced what program will take over the 5 p.m. ET time slot previously occupied by “Pardon The Interruption” and “Around the Horn,” both of which were among the few remaining shows that featured media commentary rather than former athletes.
In conclusion, the end of “Around the Horn” signifies a notable shift in ESPN’s approach to sports programming, raising questions about the future of sports journalism on the network.
**FAQ Section**
**Q: Why did “Around the Horn” end?**
A: “Around the Horn” concluded after nearly 23 years as part of ESPN’s shift towards featuring more former athletes in its programming, moving away from traditional sports journalism.
