Michael Rapaport has announced the end of a beloved “Howard Stern Show” institution.
The comedian, 56, revealed on his “I Am Rapaport” podcast Thursday that the show’s long-running fantasy football league is now “defunct” after nearly two decades on the air. “It’s done,” he told listeners while mourning what he called “one of the greatest… [and] most famous fantasy football leagues.”
Rapaport explained the simple reason for the cancellation: “They just can’t do it anymore.” The timing is particularly notable with the NFL season set to kick off Wednesday and most fantasy drafts typically taking place in late August or early September.
The actor took personal credit for elevating the segment’s profile during his tenure. “I took that [league] from the bottom to the top, made it a viral sensation that people ask me about every single day,” he recalled. “It has come to an end,” he continued, adding that there has been “so much talk about” the show following recent headlines about staff layoffs.
The league’s demise comes as Stern’s program undergoes its most significant restructuring in years. When the new season launches Sept. 14, the show will be downsized to one episode per week and streamed on HBO Max. Rapaport said it’s “not [his] place” to discuss the streaming arrangement. “Nor do I have any information as to how that’s playing out, why that’s playing out, what that’s going to look like,” he said.
The fantasy football cancellation is merely the latest change to rock Stern’s universe. In July, news broke that a dozen staffers were being axed from the show. Stern subsequently dropped Channel 101 entirely, handing it over to Andy Cohen’s “Radio Andy.” The shock jock has since inked a deal with HBO Max, meaning episodes will be available to stream for the first time “along with periodic extras,” according to a press release.
Stern faced rampant retirement rumors last year but put them to rest by signing a three-year contract with SiriusXM in December 2025. “I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all,” he said at the time. “More free time and continuing to be on the radio. Yes, we are coming back.”
Reaction to Rapaport’s announcement was mixed on social media. Reddit users took issue with the update, with one writing, “Another fun segment is gone.” Some, however, speculated that “Rapaport was told it was canceled just so” he wouldn’t be able to take part.
Stern’s rep did not immediately respond to the outlet’s request for comment.
The new season of the “Howard Stern Show” launches Sept. 14 on SiriusXM and HBO Max.
