In every sports town throughout America, there’s at least one local sports show that features a group of sports “experts” and media-types showing off their knowledge in some round-table forum. God knows that there are even more of them on the national level. All of them owe a bow, and nod of gratitude to ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters.”
“The Sports Reporters” debuted in 1988, and was much more “newsy” than the more raucous shows permeating the boob tube today. ESPN has decided to finally pull the plug on this show as it comes close to its 30th anniversary on the network.
To this point, ESPN has offered no official comment about the “why” it’s being cancelled, but most likely, it’s being compared to more lively and exciting shows like “Pardon The Interruption” and “Around The Horn.” There are those who may think it feels dated, dull, or way too serious, but that can’t take away from the influence and inspiration this show provided for what came after.