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2 months ago
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NFL Network continues to make cuts to its talent roster with the surprise news that much-loved NFL podcast Around The NFL will be no more.
The widely respected podcast, which has run 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, built a particularly loyal fanbase in international markets with the team regularly traveling to London NFL games, hosting events in the English capital and appearing on Sky Sports’ NFL coverage.
The irreverent but informed podcast had aired multiple times a week 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 in recent months includes 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 cancellation sparked dismay and regret among colleagues, contributors and fans on both sides of the pond. The head of the NFL’s UK office Henry Hodgson called the decision “tragic”. Recently departed NFL Network alum 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”.
The Around the NFL Podcast overhaul is mind-boggling.
Mind. Boggling.
To take a podcast with that kind of popularity, that built a fan base before the space was way over saturated, and act like they can just build something different and the consistency doesn’t matter is… 🤯.
Not exaggerating when I say that the Around the NFL podcast has actually improved my life.
Was lucky enough to have some chats with the late, great @ChrisWesseling before he was taken from us, and the way he and the other heroes made everyone feel like part of their family is… https://t.co/VrrETLgfrV
The @NFL is a corporate horror but it was redeemed by one of the great podcasts, Around the NFL, where amazing chemistry and knowledge combined to create something special. @DanHanzus is a great host, @MarcSessler the beating heart. So obviously the NFL has axed the show – brain…
— Tim Shipman (@ShippersUnbound) July 8, 2024Such rich and solid content. Sad (and incredulous) to see it go..
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) July 7, 2024Congrats on an incredible run and much respect for what you guys built. Wishing you guys a ton of luck moving forward.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) July 8, 2024Wow. End of an era. As one of the OGs in the podcast game so impressed by what you guys built. Not easy to do. 💪
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) July 7, 2024Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.
