India, May 24 -- 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 Reporte...