I have been thinking for a while about the true state of a network that has been a staple in our generation of sports tv, ESPN. We all remember the days of either waking up in the morning excited to see what show was going to be on before school or getting home from school/practice in the afternoon/night. Whether it was a recap of sports the day/night before, or a popular sports analyst giving their opinion on a certain sports subject. What a time to be alive right… In this article, I plan to discuss some of my favorite shows from ESPN in the past and some memories here and there associated with these shows. I know it was a short introduction but I’m pretty pumped to get into this article and giving my opinions from what ESPN was and what ESPN has become since we all started watching religiously. 

First and foremost this article is strictly an opinion piece, more specific my opinion and my frustrations with growing up with ESPN. The network has gone from what we all loved with multiple shows to watch and be entertained to what we have now of maybe only a handful of entertaining shows and analysts. A little background of myself in relation to ESPN, I have essentially grown up with this network ever since I could remember. ESPN was always on the tv or if we were in the car it was always a preset on any car we owned. I know crazy time of radio before Sirius XM… I do not think there was a time growing up whether watching tv as a family or going to friends houses where ESPN was not on during some part of the day. It was always something when I woke up before school that was on the tv to catch up on the late night games from the previous night. Also, more than likely it, was the last channel the tv was turned off too before going to bed either watching a game or hearing one of the analyst recap the day in sports. Summing it up, ESPN was the most influential channels I watched growing up and if you were not caught up in the sports world at school then you had absolutely nothing to talk about all day. As a kid ESPN was everything and brought so many of the people I call friends and family into my life that who knows maybe we would not have met if ESPN was not around.

We are going to start off with some of the shows that stick out most from my/our childhood. First off is probably my favorite and probably a lot of people’s favorite Mike & Mike (in the morning). This particular show is a staple in my childhood, starting out every morning in dads truck Mike & Mike was on from the time we left the driveway until getting out at school or till we got to a job site if I was helping with his construction business in the summer. I loved listening to Mike & Mike I feel they were the best all around show on the air. They had the best mix of sports recap with a “family” feel to their show along with their relationship on the show and off seemed genuine. Mike & Mike also had a bit of comedy in their show with how Golic reacted to Greenberg on certain sports takes and vice versa. I would say Mike & Mike was my absolute favorite growing up and it was not even close, especially when they started airing it on the ESPN channel. Once it was on tv that brought a whole new element for me just being able to see the facial expressions and feel even more immersed in their show. Of course all things have to come to an end, I have to say it seemed like it was up to both Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg when the show got cancelled it just simply ran its course but if miraculously one of them (or someone they know) is reading this article I just want to say Thank You for all the core memories with family and friends associated with watching your show Mike & Mike I greatly appreciate you guys! 

I would have to say other than the show mentioned above (Mike & Mike) none of the older shows really captured my attention like they did but here is a few that I do remember watching and enjoying: Around the Horn, Jim Rome is Burning, Highly Questionable, Outside the Lines, and of course Stump the Schwab. We will not go into great detail of all these shows but I would like to pick my favorites out of this short list. I’m looking at the list, 3 of these shows I would say I have “strong” opinions about. Starting off with Around the Horn, this show had a great run until this year and was a unique styled show with points given by Max Kellerman (2002-2004) than the best fit took over in Tony Reali (2004-2025) to four panelist (usually sports journalists) from all over the United States for their opinions on a given sports topic. This show was just different from all the rest and I think that’s why it was so good and offered different perspectives into sports topics. 

Next up, give me Jim Rome is Burning. Jim Rome was the first guy to really “say whatever” he wanted and deliver it however he wanted. Rome faced alot of “heat” (see what I did there) with his show but he told it like it was and had full confidence in it. I enjoyed his sports radio show, if nothing else was on but again respect Jim Rome for saying how he felt and believed! 

Lastly, probably one of everyone’s favorite segments even though shortly lived from 2004-2006, Stump the Schwab. During the show three people tried to beat the Schwab in sports trivia in a “game show” type atmosphere. Again, this show was different which was why I enjoyed it overall, but man was the Schwab impressive to watch with his knowledge of all sports. Unfortunately like I said before it was a short lived show with only going for 2 years but man it was cool. What a time to be alive to have experienced all these shows in their prime and witness ESPN at its peak in my opinion. 

Fast forward until today and we only have a couple shows out that I would consider watching. Get Up, Pardon the Interruption (PTI), First Take, and of course The Pat McAfee Show. Leading off with, Get Up, I think the main reason I follow this show when it is on is just because of Mike Greenberg and the hope of reliving some of my childhood memories with Mike & Mike. Overall, it’s a decent show in my opinion. Get Up has a fun looking atmosphere with interesting segments, big personality guests, and knowledgeable analysts breaking down the biggest stories in sports. 

Next up with have Pardon the Interruption (PTI) with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. This show has been airing since 2001, I will be honest early in the show I was not a fan it was just two guys yelling most of the time. However, as it went on and years past it is probably the best “debate” style show in tv. These two “old heads” of the sports writing world are very knowledgeable and have witnessed some of the greatest sports stories of all time. Wilbon is one of my favorites to watch now, mainly due to him being a Chicago sports fan, but he tells it like it is (just like Kornheiser) in a respectful and professional way without getting carried aways. Overall, PTI is one of the last staple shows on ESPN and I appreciate and respect the hell out of both Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon for evolving and sharing their sports stories and comparing them to what we have in sports today! 

Ok, on to First Take with Stephen A. Smith. Stephen A has been on ESPN for as long as I can remember, always being the loud and entertaining sports analyst that may take things too far or say something wild but that’s what keeps us entertained. However, on First Take he still has his same personality but delivers it in a professional and calm manner (most of the time). Personally, I like Stephen A with ESPN, it gives them a guy who simply tells it how it is (like Jim Rome used to) but in a way that can come off serious, strict, friendly, or joking matter. First Take is good and I think Stephen A will be with ESPN forever and is the kind of guy that will defend himself, all of ESPN’s shows, and the network no matter what happens which I can fully respect. 

Lastly the newcomer to ESPN Pat McAfee with the Pat McAfee Show. I want to start by saying I think Pat McAfee is absolutely saving ESPN as we know it. A lot of people do not like him, simply because he is different. He does not wear a suit on his show, he does not have professional sports journalists around him (instead he has his friends), he does not care what he says and will back it up, and he is just overall funny and entertaining. What’s not to like? McAfee is changing the sports show game as we know it with his show, getting the biggest names in sports, taking his show on the road to different sports venues, and just being overall a fun and entertaining show to watch. Like I said I firmly believe Pat is saving ESPN as we know it and I hope people see that instead of continuing with all the hate. 

Ok I know time to wrap this article up. I just want to say, I love ESPN and always will that will never change. However, they need to really take a step back and look at all the talent they have lost and what shows they can create to have a better impact on the sports tv market. As far as the overall “state” of ESPN, I think it’s going downhill fast. Unfortunately, I think they only have 4 big names in the sports personalities world in Stephen A. Smith, Mike Greenberg, Scott Van Pelt and Pat McAfee even though these names are big I think they can do better. They have brought in some young new talent for example Gary Striewski and Randy Scott for the morning shows. Obviously I know shows have to end and people retire but I just do not think with the evolution of sports media that ESPN is at the top of everyone’s list. 

I am going to finish with this, ESPN and their shows have been a staple of my life ever since I can remember and that will never change. I will always have ESPN in our household. Luckily I married a wife who also loves sports (that’s right be jealous) and we will raise our daughter on ESPN and loving sports. ESPN, you have been great in the past I know everything goes in waves and you may not be at the top of the game right now but you will be back! I also respect the hell out of the people who work in the sports media industry and wish nothing but success to all of them whether at ESPN or not! Cheers to you ESPN, thank you for all the memories and like our guys Stuart Scott always said “Boo-yah”!