Tony Reali is stepping back into audio. His new podcast, Real Deal with Tony Reali, launches July 14 through iHeartPodcasts.
What We Know: Reali spent parts of three decades at ESPN, most notably as the longtime host of Around the Horn. Moreover, that show wrapped its historic run in last year after nearly 5,000 episodes. Now, Reali returns with a new weekly podcast under the iHeartPodcasts banner. Additionally, the project blends sports nostalgia with personal storytelling.
What They Said: Tony Reali on his new Real Deal podcast: “What I really love is the quirky stuff, the human stuff. There’s something unforgettable to me with all that. I got sports earworms banging around my head for decades. Locked and loaded in the group chat, ready to just send it once I see those three little dots coming. Because I know in sports there are moments that refuse to be muted or pardoned, and things that are never interrupted. The stories we keep sending each other, 10, 20, 30 years later. That’s real deal.”
Tony Reali on partnering with iHeartMedia on his new weekly podcast: “I’m excited. Then again, I was born excited. After 25 years in television, I’m thrilled to be partnering with iHeart to launch REAL DEAL. It’s more Tony, it’s still Tony, and it’s a new Tony, all at once. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been building.”
What Remains Unclear: iHeart hasn’t detailed episode length or confirmed a full guest lineup yet. It’s also unclear how closely Real Deal will echo Around the Horn’s debate format versus a looser conversational style. Reali’s own description, calling it “more Tony… still Tony… and a new Tony,” suggests some blending either way.
What It Means: For Reali, the launch completes a full pivot from network television to on-demand audio. For iHeartPodcasts, adding a personality with a built-in national following strengthens its sports lineup.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.