Jemele Hill Jokes About ESPN Firing in Nostalgic ‘Around the Horn’ Return
By [Your Name], Sports Media Correspondent, May 9, 2025
Bristol, CT – Jemele Hill made a triumphant, tongue-in-cheek return to ESPN’s Around the Horn on Thursday, May 8, 2025, as part of the show’s farewell tour before its final episode on May 23. The polarizing sports journalist, who left ESPN in 2018 after a series of high-profile controversies, didn’t shy away from her past, cracking jokes about her firing and old tweets during the nostalgic episode. Alongside former ESPN colleague Kate Fagan, Hill’s appearance sparked both fan excitement and debate, offering an insider’s glimpse into her unapologetic humor and the complex legacy she left at the network.
A Playful Nod to the Past
Hill, a regular Around the Horn panelist from 2007 to 2018, was introduced by host Tony Reali as part of the show’s effort to bring back fan favorites for its final weeks after a 23-year run. The Detroit native wasted no time leaning into her controversial exit. “I’m just happy to be uncanceled for a day,” she quipped, drawing laughs from Reali and panelists. Later, during a segment revisiting old takes from her and Fagan, Hill feigned panic when Reali pulled up their past tweets. “I got a little bit nervous when I saw you were pulling up our tweets,” she said, laughing. “I just came back, man! Don’t get me in trouble again!”
The jokes referenced her 2017 suspension and eventual departure from ESPN, triggered by tweets calling then-President Donald Trump a “white supremacist” and suggesting a boycott of Dallas Cowboys sponsors over owner Jerry Jones’ stance on national anthem protests. The White House, through press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, labeled her comments a “fireable offense,” and Trump himself demanded an apology from ESPN, thrusting Hill into a national firestorm. Her exit, finalized with a $5 million buyout in 2018, marked the end of a 12-year tenure that included roles as a columnist, SportsCenter co-host, and His & Hers anchor alongside Michael Smith.
Mixed Reactions and Network Tensions
Hill’s return wasn’t without critics. Some, like OutKick, argued that inviting her back undermined ESPN’s stated goal under president Jimmy Pitaro to dial back political commentary, accusing the network of hypocrisy given Hill’s post-ESPN career as a vocal cultural commentator. “She’s built an entire career around anti-white racism and faux racial hysteria,” the outlet claimed, pointing to her recent statements, including a pre-election post calling white men “the worse [sic] thing in America.” Others, however, celebrated her wit and authenticity. Fans on X praised her resilience, with one user noting, “Nothing but respect! You stood on business & ESPN still invited you back to close out the show.”
Inside ESPN, the decision to bring Hill back stirred unease. Insiders told Awful Announcing that some executives worried her presence could reignite perceptions of liberal bias, especially given the timing—days after a contentious U.S. election. Yet, producers defended the move as a nod to the show’s history, emphasizing Hill’s long tenure and popularity among viewers. “She’s part of Around the Horn’s DNA,” one staffer said anonymously. “You can’t tell the show’s story without her.”
Hill’s Evolution and the Show’s Legacy
Since leaving ESPN, Hill, now 49, has carved out a multifaceted career, writing for The Atlantic, hosting the Spotify podcast Jemele Hill is Unbothered, and co-producing a Spike Lee-directed documentary series on Colin Kaepernick. Her memoir, Uphill (2022), details her Detroit upbringing and the ESPN fallout, framing her departure as a “redirection” that freed her from the network’s “conservative culture.” On Around the Horn, she stuck to sports, debating topics like NBA playoffs and NFL draft picks, but her mere presence carried weight.
Fagan, who appeared alongside Hill, used her closing remarks to advocate for trans kids in sports, a moment that sparked its own buzz on X. Together, their return highlighted Around the Horn’s role as a platform for diverse voices, even as the show’s cancellation—attributed by some like former panelist Jay Mariotti to its “woke” shift—remains contentious. Hill fired back at Mariotti’s claims on X, calling them “a dumb statement” and noting she joined the show nearly a decade before Trump’s presidency.
A Bittersweet Farewell
For Hill, the episode was a chance to reconnect with Reali and reflect on a show that shaped her career. “Coming back like Jordan wearing the 4-5,” she posted on X before the broadcast, signaling her playful confidence. Fans echoed the sentiment, with one writing, “Jemele’s still got that fire. ESPN’s loss is the culture’s gain.”
As Around the Horn nears its end, Hill’s return underscores the show’s impact on sports media, launching careers for talents like Mina Kimes and Pablo Torre while navigating the tricky intersection of sports and politics. With a temporary SportsCenter slot set to replace it, ESPN faces questions about how to fill the void left by a debate show that, for better or worse, never shied away from the fray. For Hill, the moment was a full-circle reminder of her roots—and a chance to laugh at the chaos that once defined her ESPN exit.
Sources: Awful Announcing, OutKick, The Atlantic, X posts from fans and Hill herself