J.A. Adande built one of the most impressive careers in sports media and then transitioned from his full-time job at ESPN to pursue a new path. In 2017, he returned to his alma mater to take on the role of director for the sports journalism program at the Medill School at Northwestern University, where he also serves as an associate professor. Known for his work with the Chicago Sun-Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times, Adande frequently appeared on Around the Horn. Although he still makes occasional appearances, his time on the show will come to an end when Around the Horn broadcasts its final episode on May 23. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with Adande to discuss Around the Horn, his current role, and his honor of receiving the Curt Gowdy Print Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last October.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Awful Announcing: Will you be on the final episode of Around the Horn?
J.A. Adande: “To be determined. We still haven’t decided how we’re going to do the final show. I don’t think it’s going to be all hands on deck like we’ve done for some of the reunion shows where we had everybody. We’ll see. I thought it was cool that they brought Sarah Spain and Izzy Gutierrez back for the Halloween/April Fool’s Day show. They got one last moment there. They’re definitely two of the best.”
How do you feel about the end of the show?
“I feel very appreciative that I was part of a show that was on for more than two decades. There are very few shows that get that type of run. I’ve heard from so many people who say that’s the show that made them want to get into sports journalism or media. One of the benefits of the show being on for so long was that we’ve seen a new generation of people who aspired to be on it. That wasn’t something I ever aimed to do, as the show didn’t exist when I was a kid.”
Congratulations to our very own @jadande, 2024 Curt Gowdy Print Media Award winner!
He’s bringing back the Adande Lounge to celebrate the @Hoophall 🏀 pic.twitter.com/n71V7ZQc4l
— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) February 21, 2024
What is the legacy of Around the Horn?
“People saw me on there and wanted to emulate what I did. When you hear things like that, it’s pretty cool. So I think that’s the legacy—how many people you see all over ESPN and other media outlets who first got their big breaks on television through Around the Horn.”
Was preparing for the show a challenge?
“I’m curious about what it’ll be like not having to follow so many things. The ‘burden’ of the show was keeping track of what’s happening in the sports world. I can’t tell you how many beautiful weekends in L.A. I spent indoors watching college and NFL football, because if you’re on a show on Monday, you better watch 12-15 hours of football over the weekend—even if you’re only going to discuss it for four minutes.”
What’s the No.1 question your students ask you, and what do you tell them?
“They often ask, ‘Why did I come back and leave my previous role?’ There’s disbelief, but sometimes things just make perfect sense when you’re doing them. For me, I’ve accomplished everything I wanted. Reaching 20 NBA Finals was a significant milestone for me. I covered the era of Michael Jordan, the first three-peat for the Bulls, the Shaq-Kobe Lakers, LeBron and the Heat, and the rise of the Warriors. I shared so many stories, not just in the NBA, but also tennis with the Williams sisters and golf with Tiger Woods. I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of amazing things, from the Olympics to countless memorable moments. There are only so many stories you can tell.”
When you were a student, did you ever think you would return to Northwestern as a professor?
“I thought it’d be cool to teach at Medill, but I didn’t foresee myself living in Chicago again. I did teach at USC, but the chance to take on this full-time role at Medill was unique. They reached out to me, which is why I returned to Chicago after spending 20 years in L.A. I was ready for a change.”
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How would you describe your job?
“It encompasses a variety of roles. Teaching is a small part of it, and that’s my favorite aspect. However, I’m also responsible for recruiting new students, being available to alumni for letters of recommendation or job opportunities, serving on the curriculum committee, and planning trips and program logistics. When people ask if I miss producing content, I remind them I’m producing two to three multiple-hour lectures per week. That’s my storytelling method.”
Who are some rising stars in sports journalism who have impressed you lately?
“I really admire Brandon Quinn (of The Athletic). His column following John Feinstein’s passing was remarkable; he managed to get Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim on the phone. I remember thinking how it resembled a Feinstein-worthy column/story. He’s incredibly plugged in and writes exceptionally well. I was also thrilled to see one of my former students from USC, Paolo Uggetti, have the main story for ESPN.com off the Masters.”
What do you love about sports media now?
“I love it more from a consumer standpoint. You can watch every game on a variety of platforms, no matter where you are. You could be on a plane or at work. We often take for granted how accessible the NCAA tournament is now. I recall feeling privileged to have DIRECTV where you could purchase March Madness on demand; now it’s so straightforward. You can watch through the March Madness app for free. What I love about sports media today is its availability.”
What was it like joining the Hall of Fame?
“That night was special because so many of the people who inspired me were there—those whose posters decorated my walls as a kid. People like Michael Jordan and Dr. J made the experience unforgettable. Since Michael Cooper was being honored, all the Showtime-era Lakers were present, except for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Magic, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, Mychal Thompson, and Pat Riley were all there, and I felt like they were watching me for those 10 minutes after all the hours I spent watching them. The presence of these greats in the building during the pinnacle of my professional life made it even more meaningful.”
