ESPN has canceled the Sunday morning show, The Sports Reporters, after nearly 30 years on the air, reports Sports Illustrated.
The publication writes that the show, which features a panel of journalists debating topical sports issues, is expected to end in May. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on the report, SI adds.
The Sports Reporters, which debuted in 1988, has featured a slew of high-profile sports journalists over the years including the late Dick Schapp (who hosted), Mike Lupica (who now hosts), John Feinstein, Mitch Albom, Tony Kornheiser, Stephen A. Smith and Bob Ryan.
The SI article did not give a reason for the cancellation, but said The Sports Reporters will be replaced in its Sunday morning time slot (9:30 a.m. ET) by an hour-long version of E:60, the network’s sports magazine show.
I couldn’t care less. ESPN is, today, as relevant, entertaining and profitable…as SEARS.
I like the Sports Reporters. I look forward to watching every Sunday before church. It is my favorite show on ESPN and would drop the subscription to ESPN if I could. I would drop shows like Highly Questionable or Around the Horn before replacing such an iconic show like the Sports Reporters.
May 14, 2017 – Today is the first Sunday since The Sports Reporters went off the air. Still don’t know why it was axed. Don’t buy the Lupica prima donna story — they could just find another host and maybe keep him on the panel rotation. I guess they needed to get more NFL-All-The-Time content.