It’s over. Truly.
On May 23, 2025, the lights finally dimmed on the Seaport Studios set in New York, marking the end of an era that lasted nearly 23 years. The Around the Horn final show wasn't just another thirty minutes of sports debate. It was a funeral for a specific kind of sports journalism—the kind where ink-stained newspaper columnists from Dallas, Chicago, and Boston were treated like rock stars.
Tony Reali, the man who started as a "Stat Boy" and ended as the show's beating heart, didn't go out with a whimper. He went out with a Goodfellas tribute.
Seriously.
The Goodfellas Walk and the Last Four Standing
The finale kicked off with a shot-for-shot recreation of Henry Hill’s legendary Copacabana steadicam shot. Reali walked through the bowels of the production office, past the monitors and the cables, while "Then He Kissed Me" by The Crystals played. He looked into the camera and dropped the line: "As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a sportscaster."
It was peak Reali—sincere, a little nerdy, and deeply respectful of the "crew" behind the scenes.
When the show actually started, the four chairs were filled by the Mount Rushmore of the program. We’re talking about the heavy hitters:
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- Woody Paige (The chalkboards! The Denver legend!)
- Bob Ryan (The "Commissioner" from the Boston Globe)
- Bill Plaschke (The emotional core from the L.A. Times)
- J.A. Adande (The steady hand from Northwestern)
They didn't just argue about the Lakers or the Cowboys. They debated the "GOAT" of the show's entire lifespan. Most of them landed on LeBron James, simply because LeBron’s career almost perfectly mirrored the show's run. He was a high schooler when the show debuted in 2002, and he was still playing when Reali hit the mute button for the last time.
Why Did ESPN Kill Around the Horn?
You’ve probably heard it was just "ratings," but that’s a bit of a lazy take. Honestly, the numbers for the Around the Horn final show were solid, and the program consistently pulled in around 360,000 viewers. Not bad for 5 p.m. on a Tuesday.
The real reason? It was expensive.
Unlike a show like First Take, which relies on a few big-name stars, Around the Horn had a massive roster. ESPN was paying dozens of journalists from different newspapers across the country. Between the appearance fees, the technical logistics of beaming in four different remotes every single day, and the shifting landscape toward "influencer" sports media, the math just stopped working for Disney.
Basically, the network wanted a "more modern concept." Translation: something cheaper that can be clipped for TikTok more easily.
The Secret of the Scoring System
For two decades, fans joked that the points were made up. We all thought Tony was just hitting buttons based on who made him laugh.
In the final minutes of the show, Reali finally "peeled back the curtain." He explained that the scoring was never about who was "right." It was about the "sauce"—a mix of heart, logic, and the ability to pivot. He compared the scoring to life itself: unpredictable, unfair at times, and governed by a rulebook that changes every day.
It was a surprisingly deep moment for a show that once featured Woody Paige wearing a snorkel.
Notable Cameos and Farewells
Before the final credits rolled, the show brought back the "OGs" for one last Face Time.
- Jackie MacMullan popped in to remind everyone she was the first woman to win the show.
- Tim Cowlishaw and Kevin Blackistone gave their final takes.
- Frank Isola (the "Meatball") got one last jab in.
The most emotional moment, though, belonged to Israel Gutierrez. During the penultimate show, he used his time to honor his sister, who had recently passed away. It served as a reminder that while the show was about sports, the community built between the panelists was real.
What Happens Now?
If you're looking for that 5 p.m. fix, don't hold your breath for a direct clone. For now, ESPN is plugging the hole with a 30-minute SportsCenter. There are rumors that Pardon the Interruption might expand to an hour, or that Stephen A. Smith might get even more real estate, but nothing is permanent yet.
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Tony Reali isn't disappearing, though. He’s already moved his "Team Reali" brand over to YouTube and social media. His contract with ESPN runs through the summer of 2025, and while he’s being "sunset" from the afternoon slot, he's hinted at new projects involving "more smiles."
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're feeling the void left by the Around the Horn final show, here is how to keep up with the crew:
- Follow the "Social 4": Most of the regulars like Pablo Torre and Bomani Jones have moved their best content to independent podcasts like Meadowlark Media.
- Check the YouTube Archives: ESPN has preserved the final week of episodes on their YouTube channel, including the behind-the-scenes "tribute" segments.
- Tony’s New Chapter: Reali is active on his personal site and YouTube, where he’s doing live streams to interact with the fans who grew up watching him.
The "Stat Boy" grew up, and so did we. The points might not have mattered, but the conversation certainly did.