NFL Network spark fan fury as popular podcast is canceled

NFL Network cuts took another dramatic turn on Sunday when it was announced the uber-popular ‘Around The NFL’ podcast has been taken off air.

The award-nominated show, hosted by Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Gregg Rosenthal, had aired multiple times a week for 11 years and more than 1,600 episodes.

For weeks, fans had been awaiting news about why the show had stopped after May 23, and it was confirmed on Sunday that it will not return.

As reported by Sportico, the NFL have decided to cut Hanzus and Sessler from the company, while Rosenthal will host a rebranded ‘NFL Daily’ show five times a week, beginning on Tuesday.

The news was met with fury by fans of the show, with one writing: ‘I don’t get NFL Network. The league prints money – and then some – yet they keep on making cuts. 

‘First there were the huge and unnecessary changes to GMFB. Now they’ve scrapped the hugely popular Around the NFL Podcast. Such a boneheaded decision again.’

The podcast – and its ‘heroes’ – had carved out a hugely dedicated audience in over a decade of shows, brought even closer together by the untimely death of one its presenters Chris Wesseling just days before the Super Bowl in 2021.

The first account to reveal news of the podcast’s cancelation was Rosenthal’s, in a series of emotional tweets.

He wrote: ‘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. 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.’

The tweet was quickly seen by more than two million people, with tributes pouring in and fans expressing their sadness at the end of the podcast.

‘Oh hey look, @NFLMedia canceling another quality show,’ one wrote. ‘Is there anything left at this point?’

Another fan added: ‘No way. Ridiculously stupid and nearsighted decision by the NFL.’

In a statement to Sportico, the NFL said of its decision: ‘We are excited about the new direction of “NFL Daily” and our entire podcast lineup, and look forward to what Gregg and all our unique and talented voices will bring fans this season and beyond.’

Last season, Around The NFL was nominated for iHeartMedia’s Best Sports Podcast, eventually missing out to Jason and Travis Kelce’s New Heights.