As a teacher, I must say that Around the Horn has consistently been one of the best shows I watch. For most of my career, afternoons were spent doing chores while watching the panelists weave debate, humor, and sports into a daily delight. I didn’t always agree with their opinions, but that’s precisely the point. The fact that they could speak honestly about the actions of athletes, coaches, team leaders/owners, and universities spoke to my love of the sports even when society valued it more than the job I have as an educator. What made it special was a mixture of altruism and athletics. It’s going to be sad watching the final episode today at 5pm.

What makes the show special is how panelists like Sarah Spain bring both sharp analysis and genuine wit to every topic. Spain has this remarkable ability to cut through the noise on complex issues – whether she’s breaking down the latest college NIL controversy or calling out inconsistencies in how we cover women’s sports. Her takes on NIL deals have been particularly insightful, often highlighting how these opportunities can level the playing field for athletes who’ve been generating revenue for universities without compensation for decades.

Pablo Torre adds another layer entirely, approaching stories with the curiosity of someone who genuinely loves the weird corners of sports culture. When Torre dives into NIL stories, he doesn’t just cover the dollars and cents – he explores the human stories behind the deals, like how a backup punter’s viral TikTok might suddenly be worth more than a starting linebacker’s game film.

The show’s NIL coverage has been fascinating to watch evolve. Early on, there was skepticism about whether college athletes could handle the business side of these deals. Now, panelists regularly showcase athletes who’ve built genuine brands – from LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne’s social media empire to Stanford basketball player Haley Jones partnering with Nike. The debates often center not on whether NIL is good or bad, but on how to make it more equitable.

For someone with limited time to watch because of family events, grading, or school commitments, Around the Horn consistently gave me reasons to root for teams in playoff games when I had no one to care about otherwise. Tony Reali’s ability to orchestrate controlled chaos while keeping everyone accountable made it appointment television – even when you’re folding laundry or planning tomorrow’s lessons.

I will miss my afternoons with the loving kindness and genuflection that Tony and others provided.

Thank you Tony.