Jemele Hill returns to ESPN's 'Around the Horn' before show's cancellation, jokes about previous firing

Fox News - May 9th, 2025

ESPN's long-running sports debate show "Around the Horn" is set to air its final episode on May 23, marking the end of over two decades on air. In anticipation of its conclusion, the show is bringing back former panelists for its final episodes. Recently, Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan made appearances, adding nostalgia and poignant commentary to the show's closing chapters. Hill, previously let go from ESPN in 2018 for her social media posts about then-President Donald Trump, humorously reflected on her past comments during her return. Fagan used her platform to advocate for the inclusion of transgender kids in sports, emphasizing the joy and sense of belonging sports can bring to young individuals.

The cancellation of "Around the Horn" comes amidst broader discussions about the direction of ESPN and its programming choices. Former panelist Jay Mariotti has criticized the show for what he describes as its "woke" stance, a term often used to criticize progressive policies or statements. This development occurs as ESPN's parent company, Disney, partners with PENN Entertainment to expand into ESPN-branded sportsbooks. As the show approaches its conclusion, it highlights shifting dynamics not only within ESPN but also in the broader landscape of sports media, where cultural and political issues increasingly intersect with entertainment.

Espn Transgender Issues Jemele Hill Around The Horn Kate Fagan Sports Media Show Cancellation

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article from Fox News provides a timely and engaging account of ESPN's 'Around the Horn' cancellation and the return of notable personalities like Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan. It succeeds in capturing reader interest through its focus on popular figures and current cultural debates. However, the story's accuracy is somewhat compromised by incomplete sourcing and a lack of transparency regarding the basis of certain claims, such as the reasons for Hill's departure from ESPN and the legal context of transgender sports participation. The narrative is clear and readable, but the inclusion of promotional content can disrupt the flow. While the article presents a balanced view of the personalities involved, it leans slightly toward a particular ideological framing without fully exploring ESPN's perspective on the show's cancellation. Overall, the piece serves as a catalyst for discussion on media and cultural issues but would benefit from more robust sourcing and context.

Accuracy

The story covers the cancellation of ESPN's 'Around the Horn' and the return of former panelists Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan. It accurately reports the show's end date and the return of these personalities, as confirmed by other sources. However, the article's claim about Jemele Hill's departure from ESPN due to social media posts about Donald Trump needs careful verification. While widely reported, the exact circumstances of her exit are nuanced and vary slightly across different reports. The story also mentions a legal claim regarding transgender participation in sports, which requires more precise context given the complex legal landscape.

Balance

The article provides a reasonable balance by presenting the return of Jemele Hill and Kate Fagan as a significant event, highlighting their contributions and statements. However, it leans towards emphasizing the 'woke' narrative through Jay Mariotti's comments without equally presenting ESPN's perspective or official reasons for the show's cancellation. This creates a slight imbalance by potentially framing the cancellation in a particular ideological light without comprehensive coverage of all viewpoints.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to follow, with a straightforward narrative structure. It effectively conveys the main events and personalities involved. However, the inclusion of unrelated links and promotional content, such as 'CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE,' can disrupt the flow and detract from the main story. Despite this, the language is accessible, and the tone is consistent with typical sports reporting.

Source quality

The story is published by Fox News, a well-known media outlet, which lends some credibility. However, the article does not cite specific sources or provide direct quotes from ESPN officials regarding the show's cancellation, relying instead on statements from former panelists and commentators like Jay Mariotti. This lack of direct sourcing from primary stakeholders affects the overall reliability of the report.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its sourcing and methodology. It does not disclose how information was obtained or provide links to original statements from ESPN or the personalities involved. The absence of direct quotes or references to official announcements or legal documents regarding transgender sports participation reduces transparency and leaves readers without a clear understanding of the basis for some claims.