What happened to Around the NFL podcast as NFL Media make decision that leaves fans furious
NFL fans across the globe have been left angry and frustrated after the abrupt end of one the sport’s most popular podcasts.
NFL Media’s ‘Around the NFL’ show was established as one of the leading reference points for fans old and new, with it’s irreverent takes, and flagship Sunday night recaps a touch point for many to engage with the league no matter there knowledge base.
Much more than that the relationship between the programme’s four hosts took fans on an incredible journey, from it’s first episode in 2013 (having started as a small segment on the Dave Dameshek Show) to it’s shock final show on May 21.
Having initially started their careers with NFL Media as writers, Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and the late Chris Wesseling educated and informed fans in equal measure racking up more than 1,500 shows.
Regular segments such as ‘You’re the GM’, 'Go Get My Lunch' and 'Lock It Up' were just as memorable for their impressions of notable NFL figures as their love and and passion for the sport was.
The quartet broadcast regularly three times a week, and their guest list became a who’s who of media insiders, reporters, and NFL stars
MORE FROM THE NFL
As well as their memorable bunkercasts throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, many fans have been on an incredible journey with the ‘Heroes’ including the tragic passing of Wesseling after a battle with cancer.
Rosenthal, Hanzus and Sessler continued to broadcast as a trio, even doing so after Super Bowl LV, just days after Wesseling passed.
Their engagement with fans, ability to poke fun at each other and embrace the chaos of the NFL season with informed debate and plenty of mirth created a culture all of it’s own as the Around the NFL Reddit forum indicates.
As podcasting culture grew, so did the show, which transitioned to live YouTube audiences, stadium appearances at Tottenham Hotspur, as well as sold out events in Los Angeles and London where fans have played a full part and memorable moments have been recalled.
What happened to Around the NFL?
Amid a culture of change at NFL Media, which has already seen significant changes to programming like Good Morning Football, and the departure of a number of presenters and reports, fans concerns were raised when the podcast feed fell silent unexpectedly in May.
As the days, weeks and eventually months passed, the feeling was that the podcast would be no more. The silence was just as agonising as the absence for the fans, it really wasn’t like the Heroes.
Most read in NFL
Dan, Marc and Gregg were all silent on their social media profiles, beyond the occasional post that fans scrambled to identify for clues.
Eventually the silence was broken, when Rosenthal took to X and Instagram to let fans know the state of play and that the podcast was no more.
"We started the Around the NFL Podcast 11 years and over 1,600 episodes ago. We didn’t take a single break in all the years since, which is part of what made the last six weeks so heartbreaking. I never expected our last show on May 23 to be our *last show,* but here we are," Rosenthal said in a four-post thread.
"Taping the show together was a constant thrill as it changed our lives and our lives changed around it. We taped before games and after games, in Culver City and Inglewood. We taped on stage in London and from home. We taped two days after Wess died, on Super Bowl Sunday.
"I’m going to miss a lot, especially the magic that happened when we hit record. Dan is a brilliant and hilarious host, able to create an entire world for us to play in. Marc writes like no one else; just sitting next to him made me feel more alive. We all made each other better and are forever bonded.
"I am so grateful to the countless people who helped us along the way, especially the listeners. I can’t thank you all enough for letting us become part of your lives and sticking with us through everything. I hope that support continues for all of us in our next steps. I will be staying at the NFL, but for now I just wanted to give thanks to everyone that helped us on this incredible journey before starting the next one. Heed the call."
Will Around the NFL return?
Coming at the same time was news of NFL Daily, a podcast that has taken the place of Around the NFL in the show's feed.
Additionally, the news emerged that both Hanzus and Sessler were no longer going to part of things moving forward, both men moving on from NFL Media and posting short comments.
Fans now eagerly await news of the next steps.
Rosenthal’s X post has been viewed an astonishing 5.5million times since he posted and he has already begun presenting a daily podcast - 'NFL Daily' with a rolling cast of guests, but fans are divided on whether they will even listen.
What are fans saying?
On fan responded: "It was a kind and heartfelt open, but I turned off very soon after that I’m afraid. Maybe I’ll dip back in during the season but it just didn’t do anything to me."
Another added: "Echoing the sentiments here. Wish you all the best but had to unsubscribe after 11 years. It’s a really bad look that a new podcast channel wasn’t started instead of rebranding ATN. Slap in the face to the fans to artificially make this new show look successful."
What's next for Around the NFL?
With Hanzus and Sessler remaining mostly silent, their next steps are eagerly anticipated, although the breaking up of the trio means whatever both parties next venture is will not have the same chemistry.
Rosenthal has been the most active, and in his first show - alongside Patrick Claybon of NFL Network and Jordan Rodriguez of The Athletic - has called for fans to show their love and support to his former colleagues.
"I do want to start by addressing the obvious, that this is not the Around the NFL podcast, that we taped our last episode of Around the NFL on May 23rd, and it was a total shock to all of us," he said in the first episode.
"It's very difficult that that was the last show that we're not going to do another. I know that's going to inspire a lot of emotions from our listeners, from you guys, from anyone that's worked on it, from myself, of course, I get it.
"I do want to ask for something now, and that's to support the hell out of Marc and Dan and what they're going to do next. And I love them.
Read More on talkSPORT
"I always will. And I want you to support this show too. Give it a chance, give both shows some grace and be cool.
"NFL Daily, it's not going to be the same show. It's not. It can't be.”