Media personality Stephen A. Smith spoke at Thursday night's presidential debate.
The veteran ESPN commentator has been outspoken about politics in recent years, despite pressure from the network to “stick to sports” and steer clear of political commentary, especially since Jimmy Pitaro took over as company president in 2018.
Smith reaffirmed his willingness to dive into the political arena when he appeared on NewsNation Thursday night during the network's presidential debate coverage.
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Stephen A. Smith looks on during Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on June 14. (Jim Cowsert/NBAE via Getty Images)
Shortly after the debate ended, Smith took to social media to share some more thoughts on what happened in Atlanta. He also criticized Vice President Harris and former first lady Michelle Obama when offering his take on the debate.
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“So, you guys will finally stop arguing with me about Biden now???” Smith shared in a post on X. “Have your fears been confirmed? @MichelleObama. @VP. Someone. Please help! Did Biden's team WANTED this? His staff, his loved ones… How could you just expose him like that! How could you!”
In addition to his role on ESPN, Smith hosts “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” He has previously stated that the podcast is separate from his duties at the network and that the platform gives him the freedom to discuss politics or other topics in the news that interest him.
Pitaro took over as ESPN president in 2018. Under his leadership, the network has consciously moved away from programming and commentary that delves into politics or race relations.
Former President Trump (left) and President Biden debated Thursday night. (Getty Images)
“I've had this internal discussion with hundreds of our employees that sports is about uniting and ESPN needs to bring people together around sports,” Pitaro told The Washington Post in 2019. “That's our role, or one of our roles.”
He added that he also tries to listen to what sports fans say about the programming they want to watch.
“Of course I am and I have my own opinions, but I also recognize that when I or one of our on-air personalities speak publicly, that is perceived as ESPN's opinion, and that can't be the case. We look at what our fans tell us,” Pitaro said.
“What we've said from day one is that we're the go-to place, that we cover the intersection of sports and politics. That hasn't changed. Why is it impossible to make the distinction between sports and non-sports news?”
Sportscaster Stephen A. Smith makes a podcast appearance. (PBD Podcast)
However, in July 2019, then-ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard criticized the network for placing restrictions on political commentary.
“Here at ESPN we don’t have the stomach for the fight,” Le Batard said on his radio show at the time. “We don’t talk about what’s going on unless there’s some kind of weak, cowardly sports angle that we can use.” Le Batard’s comments came shortly after chants of “send her back” directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., erupted during a political rally.
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Smith has become one of ESPN's biggest stars and is reportedly in the midst of contract negotiations with the network. According to Puck, Smith's contract expires in 2025, but he has been offered a new deal that could pay him $18 million annually.
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