bill hofheimer

(Clockwise, from top right): Marc Herklotz; Chris Berman; Chris Fowler. (Sports Broadcasting HOF; Illustration: Rachel Siegal/ESPN) NEW YORK – On Tuesday night, a trio of ESPNers – legendary college football analyst Lee Corso, ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen and innovative technical director Marc Herklotz – were inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2025.

Friday at 5 p.m. ET marks the end of an era on ESPN as Around the Horn hosts its final show – episode number 4,953 in a 23-year run that began November 4, 2002. Tony Reali, who has hosted more than 4,525 of those shows, is quick to note that Around the Horn’s longevity is “more than Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman and Jerry Springer,” citing the trio of legendary TV hosts.

Dick Vitale has been the face of college basketball – and the sport’s most passionate voice – since he joined ESPN 45 years ago for the 1979-80 season. Having already earned induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the National Sportscasters Hall of Fame, Vitale received yet another prestigious honor Thursday night in New York – induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.