Latest news with #StanVerrett
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Around The Horn is ending and ESPN will look different next week: Here's why iconic show was canceled
After nearly 23 years, ESPN's iconic sports debate show Around the Horn aired its final episode on Friday, days after Los Angeles-based SportsCenter halted production earlier this week. Additionally, veteran anchor Stan Verrett, a 25-year ESPN stalwart, will depart this summer as his contract is not renewed, The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing sources. These moves reflect ESPN's strategic shift toward cost-cutting. Around the Horn, launched on November 4, 2002, and hosted by Tony Reali since 2004, concluded after 4,953 episodes. The show, known for its lively debates among journalists like Woody Paige, Mina Kimes, and Bill Plaschke, was canceled as ESPN seeks to 'modernize' its programming, per The Hollywood Reporter. The network cited a desire to focus on game-centric content and adapt to shifting viewer habits, with audiences increasingly favoring streaming and highlights over traditional debate formats. ESPN executive David Roberts told New York Magazine that the decision wasn't driven by ratings or cultural shifts but by a need for a 'more modern concept', aligning with the 2025–26 launch of ESPN's standalone streaming service, priced at $29.99/month. Former panelist Jay Mariotti claimed on Substack that the show's inclusion of diverse panelists and discussions on race or politics alienated viewers. Host Tony Reali dismissed this on The Dan Patrick Show. ESPN will temporarily fill the 5 PM slot with a 30-minute SportsCenter, but no permanent replacement is confirmed, per TVLine. On May 19, 2025, ESPN aired its final Los Angeles-based SportsCenter, anchored by Linda Cohn and Stan Verrett, ending a 15-year run that began in 2009. The network relocated production to its Bristol, Connecticut, headquarters. Stan Verrett, a New Orleans native and Emmy Award-winning anchor, will leave ESPN by summer's end after 25 years, as his contract was not renewed, per Front Office Sports. Verrett, who joined in 2000 and co-anchored the 1 AM ET SportsCenter from Los Angeles since 2009 with Neil Everett. Sources told OutKick that Verrett offered to stay at a lower salary, but ESPN declined. He will, however, anchor SportsCenter in the coming months and participate in ESPN's '50 States in 50 Days' tour starting June 27, 2025, to promote its streaming service.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Stan Verrett explains stunning ESPN split after 25 years
The journalism industry looks nothing like it did when Stan Verrett joined ESPN some 25 years ago. Seeing that evolution in the industry factored into why the longtime 'SportsCenter' host is saying goodbye to the World Wide Leader. 'Our business has changed greatly since I got in. It's time that I changed along with it,' Verrett posted on X on Tuesday night. 'Fortunately, there are some tremendous opportunities to do that, while remaining in my adopted hometown, Los Angeles, which I love. Stay tuned.' 3 Stan Verrett during the 2017 Peach Bowl. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Verrett and ESPN are splitting ways after a strong run together, with Front Office Sports reporting that the network is not renewing his contract when it expires this summer. The 59-year-old began with ESPN and has served as a late-night host for the popular 'SportsCenter' program, which has also changed over the two-plus decades he has been with the network. He's been in the 1 a.m. slot since 2009 and primarily worked with Neil Everett before he left the network in 2023. It seems one factor in the decision comes from him being located in Los Angeles while the network is planning to stop hosting a 'SportsCenter' show in Los Angeles and instead center in Bristol, Conn. 3 Verrett worked for ESPN since 200. @wavy/YouTube 'My life is in Los Angeles is now,' Verrett posted on X on Wednesday after the report emerged. 'Nothing but gratitude for 25 years of living a dream at ESPN. I'm not retiring. Really excited about the future and some incredible opportunities. Stay tuned.' 3 Verrett at the ESPYs in 2015. WireImage Verrett indicated he's received positive feedback about his pending departure. 'I am overwhelmed by all of your comments. It's really touching,' he wrote on X. 'Working in a studio doesn't allow for interaction with viewers. But I'm flattered to know so many of you tuned in and enjoyed my work. That's why I did it. Sincerely, thank you all. ESPN praised Verrett for his contributions. 'We're grateful for Stan's many contributions and all he has brought to SportsCenter over the years,' ESPN EVP and executive editor or sports news and entertainment Dave Roberts told Front Office Sports in a statement. 'We thank him and wish him continued success.'
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
ESPN axe beloved anchor Stan Verrett after 25 years
ESPN is parting ways with 'SportsCenter' anchor Stan Verrett after 25 years with the network. Verrett, 59, has been with ESPN since 2000 and became the network's 1am ET 'SportsCenter' anchor in 2009 as he moved to the company's Los Angeles studio. However, with ESPN calling time on its LA 'SportsCenter' production, Verrett will be leaving the network this summer, according to Front Office Sports. Verrett will reportedly anchor 'SportsCenter' in the next couple of months, but ESPN will not renew his contract, FOS said. A statement from ESPN EVP and executive editor of sports news and entertainment Dave Roberts provided to FOS said: 'We're grateful for Stan's many contributions and all he has brought to SportsCenter over the years. We thank him and wish him continued success.' On Monday night (technically early Tuesday morning on the East coast), 'SportsCenter' held its final show from LA, with Verrett hosting alongside fellow ESPN veteran Linda Cohn. From the West Coast to fans everywhere. Tonight's final LA edition of @SportsCenter closed with @stanverrett and @lindacohn — and a special visit from Neil Everett. — ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) May 20, 2025 Their former colleague Neil Everett, who left the network in 2023, also made an appearance on the program. ESPN announced in March that the LA edition of the show would be relocating to Bristol, Connecticut. Reacting to the news of his ouster, Verrett wrote on X: 'My life is in Los Angeles is now. 'Nothing but gratitude for 25 years of living a dream at ESPN. I'm not retiring. Really excited about the future and some incredible opportunities. Stay tuned.' That message received tons of well-wishes and Verrett subsequently added: 'I am overwhelmed by all of your comments. It's really touching. Working in a studio doesn't allow for interaction with viewers. But I'm flattered to know so many of you tuned in and enjoyed my work. That's why I did it. Sincerely, thank you all. 'Our business has changed greatly since I got in. It's time that I changed along with it. Fortunately, there are some tremendous opportunities to do that, while remaining in my adopted hometown, Los Angeles, which I love.' Verrett is the latest high-profile exit in recent years from ESPN, which has had to make some cost-cutting moves amid financial issues. Star basketball reporter and analyst Zach Lowe was let go ahead of the NBA season last year, while Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III were also laid off in August.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
ESPN letting ‘SportsCenter' anchor Stan Verrett go after 25 years
A longtime 'SportsCenter' anchor is departing the Worldwide Leader. Stan Verrett is leaving ESPN later this summer after 25 years with the network, according to a report from Front Office Sports. ESPN is reportedly not planning to renew his contract. 'We're grateful for Stan's many contributions and all he has brought to SportsCenter over the years,' ESPN exec Dave Roberts told FOS in a statement. 'We thank him and wish him continued success.' Verrett took to social media on Wednesday after news broke of his departure. ESPN anchor Stan Verrett during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Washington Huskies and the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 31, 2017. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 'My life is in Los Angeles is now,' Verrett wrote on X. 'Nothing but gratitude for 25 years of living a dream at ESPN. I'm not retiring. Really excited about the future and some incredible opportunities. Stay tuned.' Verrett has worked for the company since 2000 and served as the 1 a.m. ET 'SportsCenter' host since 2009. He worked alongside longtime co-host Neil Everett in ESPN's Los Angeles studio for roughly 14 years before the latter stepped away from the network in June 2023. Stan Verrett attends the 21st Annual Emmys Golf Classic Tournament to benefit the Television Academy Foundation's Education Programs held at Riviera Country Club on October 25, 2021 in Pacific Palisades, California. Getty Images In March, ESPN announced it would be moving the Los Angeles edition of 'SportsCenter' to its headquarters in Bristol, Conn. On Monday night, Verrett and Linda Cohn co-hosted the last episode in LA and got a special guest appearance from Everett.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SportsCenter LA delivers a sweet sign-off with a very special guest
SportsCenter LA signed off on Monday night for the final time, with ESPN ending the Los Angeles-based show after 15 years on the air, along with soccer studio shows. And the sign-off was lovely, with Linda Cohn, Stan Verrett and ... Neil Everett, the anchor who was with the Worldwide Leader for 23 years and who left in 2023. "What it feels like is the greatest local station ever, because everybody knows everybody," Verrett said. "We watched families develop and we've grown up together." Cohn added that it's a family, and she thanked everybody before they all said goodbye. It was sweet and sad. Watch below: A legendary sign-off from our SportsCenter LA crew ❤️ — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 20, 2025 Per Sports Business Journal, here's why the show is shutting down: 'Based on our current business needs, we are relocating the L.A.-based 'SportsCenter' and soccer studio shows to ESPN's Bristol headquarters, including the limited number of employee positions related to these shows,' ESPN said in a statement to SBJ. 'The Los Angeles Production Center will continue to host ESPN's NBA studio productions and provide office space to additional L.A.-based employees.' This article originally appeared on For The Win: SportsCenter LA signs off on ESPN with Stan Verrett, Neil Everett
