Helena Frye
Stephen A. Smith is an American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst. He is known for his work as an NBA analyst for ESPN on SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and the network's NBA broadcasts. Smith has also hosted The Stephen A. Smith Show on ESPN Radio and is a commentator on ESPN's First Take. With a career spanning over two decades, Smith has built a reputation for being outspoken and defensive in the face of criticism. His predictions and analyses of the NBA and its players, such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan, have garnered attention and sparked discussions among fans and the media. However, Smith has also faced controversy, including a 2013 incident where he made controversial comments about the Ray Rice situation, leading to his departure from ESPN at the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Stephen Anthony Smith |
| Born | October 14, 1967 |
| Profession | American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst |
| Notable Work | The Stephen A. Smith Show, First Take, Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication |
| Career | NBA analyst, NBA columnist, general sports columnist, writer, podcast host |
| Other | Plays solitaire on his phone during NBA games |
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What You'll Learn
Stephen A. Smith's career as an NBA analyst
Stephen A. Smith is an American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst. He is known for his work as an NBA analyst for ESPN on shows like SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and First Take. Smith is known for his provocative analysis and dour delivery, never shying away from sharing a controversial opinion.
Smith's career in sports began as a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, a historically Black institution in North Carolina, where he played on a basketball scholarship. However, his basketball career ended abruptly due to a severe knee injury. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication in 1991, Smith embarked on a career in print media, working for various publications, including the Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News and Record, and the New York Daily News.
In 1994, Smith joined The Philadelphia Inquirer as a writer, eventually becoming the NBA columnist for the Philadelphia 76ers and then a general sports columnist. In August 2005, he started hosting his own show on ESPN called "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith", which ran until January 2007. After the show's cancellation, Smith focused primarily on basketball analysis, becoming a frequent NBA analyst for ESPN.
Smith has had a tumultuous relationship with ESPN, leaving and returning to the network multiple times. In 2009, he announced his departure from ESPN, citing differences in direction. He returned to ESPN in 2012 and has since become one of the network's most prominent personalities. In 2023, Smith revealed that he had earned his scholarship to Winston-Salem State University by hitting 17 3-pointers during tryouts. That same year, he signed a lucrative five-year, $100 million deal with ESPN, making him the highest-paid talent at the network.
Throughout his career, Smith has been known for his outspoken and controversial nature, often using his platform to defend himself from criticism and share his bold takes on players and teams. He has criticized NBA players like Zach Randolph, D'Angelo Russell, and Alex Caruso in relation to marijuana possession and arrest. Smith has also been praised for his friendship with fellow NBA analyst Charles Barkley, with both men being considered two of the most prominent NBA voices in recent years.
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Smith's time at ESPN
Stephen A. Smith is an American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst. He is known for his work with ESPN, where he has served as an NBA analyst and appeared on various shows. Smith's time at ESPN can be divided into several phases, each marked by different roles and contributions to the network.
Smith's first significant involvement with ESPN began in August 2005 when he started hosting his own daily show, "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith." This show ran until January 2007 and marked his introduction to ESPN's audience as a host and commentator. After the show's cancellation, Smith remained with ESPN and transitioned into the role of an NBA analyst, leveraging his knowledge of the game and its inner workings. He appeared on various ESPN shows, including "Dream Job," "Pardon the Interruption," and "Jim Rome Is Burning." He also served as an anchor on the Sunday morning edition of SportsCenter, further establishing himself as a prominent figure in sports broadcasting.
However, Smith's first stint with ESPN came to an end in 2009. On April 17, 2009, Smith announced that he would be leaving the network, citing differences in direction. There were also reports of unsuccessful negotiations regarding his contract. During this break from ESPN, Smith explored other opportunities and continued to build his brand.
In 2012, Smith returned to ESPN, this time as a permanent five-days-a-week fixture on "First Take." This marked the beginning of a new phase in his career with the network. In May 2012, as part of the ESPN New York move to 98.7 WRKS, Smith debuted the "Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show," which he co-hosted with Ryan Ruocco. This show ran until the summer of 2013, when Smith once again parted ways with ESPN to join Sirius XM Radio's Mad Dog Sports Channel.
Smith's absence from ESPN during this period was not without controversy. His departure followed some controversial comments he made on ESPN2's "First Take" program regarding the Ray Rice situation. However, his connection with ESPN remained, and he returned to the network in 2017, resuming his role as one of the hosts of "First Take." Smith also continued as a featured columnist for ESPN and a commentator on various shows, including "SportsCenter" and "NBA Countdown."
In 2025, Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth over $100 million over five years. This contract solidified his position as a prominent figure at the network and demonstrated ESPN's commitment to his brand of sports analysis and commentary. Smith's time at ESPN has been characterised by his outspoken nature, and he has never been afraid to voice his opinions, whether it be about basketball, football, or other sports. He has also been known to address controversies and defend himself from criticism.
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Smith's podcast and YouTube channel
Stephen A. Smith is an American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst. He is known for his work as an NBA analyst for ESPN and has appeared on shows such as SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and First Take. In addition to his work on television, Smith hosts The Stephen A. Smith Show on his YouTube channel and podcast, where he offers his opinions on various topics beyond sports, including entertainment, pop culture, society, business, and politics.
On his YouTube channel and podcast, Smith provides unfiltered opinions and insights on a range of issues. He also interviews celebrities, game-changers, and thought leaders from different fields. For example, he has interviewed politicians such as Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and then House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Smith's podcast and YouTube channel allow him to connect with his audience directly and express his views without censorship.
Smith's career in sports media began in print media, working for newspapers such as the Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News and Record, and the New York Daily News. He then became a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he initially reported on the Philadelphia 76ers as their NBA columnist before transitioning into a general sports columnist role. However, in 2007, he was demoted back to the position of general assignment reporter, and his relationship with the Inquirer ended in 2008.
After his time with the Inquirer, Smith ventured into television and radio. He started hosting Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN in 2005 but left the network in 2009. During this period, he also appeared on various ESPN shows, including Dream Job and Pardon the Interruption. In 2012, Smith returned to ESPN and joined First Take on a permanent, five-days-per-week basis. He also debuted the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show on ESPN New York, which ran from 2012 to 2013.
Smith's YouTube channel and podcast have become popular platforms for him to express his views and connect with his audience. He is known for his outspoken nature and willingness to engage in controversial discussions, such as the Ray Rice situation, which led to his departure from ESPN for a brief period. Smith's podcast and YouTube channel allow him to reach a diverse audience interested in his takes on sports, current events, and other topics beyond athletics.
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Smith's relationship with ESPN's Molly Qerim
Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim are ESPN's First Take co-hosts. Qerim is the face of the show, with Smith being the voice of it. Qerim has been with the show since 2015 and has grown in popularity. Smith had a heartfelt speech for Qerim as the crew had flowers delivered to her during the show.
Smith and Qerim were on hand for a live broadcast from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium ahead of The Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic in 2022. They have also attended the 2022 ABC Disney Upfront at Basketball City in New York together.
While there have been rumors about the nature of their relationship, it is believed that they only share a cordial, professional relationship. Smith has been very clear about his personal boundaries. He has also revealed that he was previously engaged, but the relationship did not work out.
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Smith's viral moment playing solitaire during the NBA Finals
Stephen A. Smith is an American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst. He is a popular NBA analyst for ESPN and has hosted shows like "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith" and "The Stephen A. Smith Show." Smith is known for his outspoken nature and has been involved in various controversies over the years.
In June 2025, Smith had a viral moment during the NBA Finals. He was spotted playing solitaire on his phone during Game 4 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. A fan captured a photo of Smith seemingly more focused on his card game than the action on the court. The analyst was working for ESPN and was expected to provide analysis of the game. This incident sparked criticism and scrutiny over his professionalism.
Smith initially stood by his explanation, admitting to playing solitaire but claiming it was during a timeout. He took to social media to address the viral photo, stating, "I can multitask. Especially during timeouts!" However, the photographer, Kimberly, refuted his claim, insisting the picture was taken during gameplay. She shared additional footage that appeared to show Smith playing solitaire while the players were active on the court.
The viral moment occurred amid the NBA facing criticism for a drop in ratings and a lack of interest in the Finals. Smith's behavior added fuel to the fire, with social media users and basketball fans expressing their disappointment in his apparent lack of engagement with the game.
While some criticized Smith's actions, others might argue that his behavior during timeouts shouldn't detract from his overall analysis and commentary. Smith is known for his strong opinions and has a significant following as one of the most recognizable personalities on ESPN. This incident sparked a conversation about the expectations of sports analysts and the balance between their on-air presence and personal downtime during games.
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Frequently asked questions
Stephen Anthony Smith, born on October 14, 1967, is an American television personality, radio host, and sports analyst. He is also a former NBA columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
One rumour involving Smith and the NBA is that he was spotted playing solitaire on his phone during Game 4 of the NBA Finals amid the action between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The rumours are accurate, as Smith himself shared the initial post claiming that he was multitasking. A video was later posted showing that he was indeed playing the game during the game.
Smith is a frequent NBA analyst for ESPN on SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and the network's NBA broadcasts. He also previously served as a writer and columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, reporting on the Philadelphia 76ers and the NBA.
Yes, Smith made controversial comments on ESPN2's First Take program regarding the Ray Rice situation, which led to his departure from ESPN at that time.
