Podcast Shocker: NFL Media’s Surprise Cull Of Hit Show ‘Around The NFL’ Sparks Dismay Among Fans, Colleagues & Contributors
NFL Media’s surprise decision to cut much-loved football podcast Around The NFL has sparked dismay and regret among colleagues, contributors and fans on both sides of the pond.
The widely respected podcast ran for more than a decade and comprised regulars Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler, Gregg Rosenthal and the late Chris Wesseling, as well as a number of NFL Network contributors.
It built a particularly loyal fanbase in international markets with the team regularly traveling to London NFL games, hosting events in the city and appearing on Sky Sports’ NFL coverage.
The irreverent and informed show aired multiple times a week and was also broadcast on the Network but suddenly went quiet without warning this summer. Listeners’ fears were confirmed when the network confirmed yesterday that it wouldn’t be continuing with the show and that Hanzus and Sessler would no longer be at the company. It said it will instead replace it with another show called NFL Daily hosted by Rosenthal.
Rosenthal took to Twitter to confirm the news but Sessler and Hanzus have yet to comment. It marks the latest cuts to the Network which this year cancelled NFL Total Access after 21 years. On-air talent to have reportedly left this year include Michael Irvin, Andrew Siciliano, James Palmer, Melissa Stark and Will Selva. Meanwhile, the company’s Good Morning Football program has been moved from New York to Los Angeles.
Around The NFL regularly ranked among Apple Podcasts’ top ten pro football shows in the U.S and performed even better in the same category in some overseas markets. It was a nominee this year for iHeartMedia’s Best Sports Podcast, and has built a Reddit fanbase in the tens of thousands.
The head of the NFL’s UK office Henry Hodgson called the cancellation “tragic”. Recently departed NFL Network anchor Lindsay Rhodes called it “mind-boggling”, while former NFL player and current podcaster and TV analyst Ross Tucker said it marked the “end of an era”. Hundreds of fans took to social media to express shock and sadness at the decision.