ESPN today aired the final episode of “The Sports Reporters.” In the "Parting Shots" segment to close the show, the N.Y. Daily News’ Mike Lupica, Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan, Detroit Free-Press’ Mitch Albom and The Undefeated’s William Rhoden reflected on the impact and history of the show.
- Ryan: "12 years sitting next to the incomparable Dick Schaap and 15 more in the comforting presence of the great John Saunders. ... We owe it all to our friend, (producer) Joe Valerio, who has run this show with class for nearly three decades and, of course, to you people out there. Thanks to you all for allowing us to have this much fun at 7:00 in the morning on Sundays. ‘The Sports Reporters’ truly changed and enhanced my life."
- Rhoden: "I'll really miss ‘The Sports Reporters’ audience. As much as many of us in this business like to think it's about us, it's always about you. I'm not a big fan of goodbyes, so I'll just say see you later and thank you."
- Albom said his goodbye in the form of a poem: "A clean and well-lighted place every week / to ponder, analyze, root, knock, or tweet. / For four different decades, and now fare thee well / we leave on a high note, with the show doing well. / We came in as writers, we're still that and friends. / We may start a podcast as some recommend."
- Lupica closed the show by saying, "Somehow we were able to conduct that conversation without making the discourse as loud and mean as so many have become in the public square. ... To the end, the privilege has been all of ours, and who knows, maybe we will see you down the road somewhere and the conversation will continue" (“The Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 5/7).
