Rumors

Stephen A. Smith, arguably the most recognizable name in sports broadcasting, recently signed a five-year, $25 million contract with ESPN. That’s more annually than Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ rising star, who’s making $13.7 million. “Does Smith deserve to earn more than Wemby?” Kyrie Irving asked rhetorically—highlighting the strange optics of a broadcaster out-earning a generational basketball talent.

BasketNews

“I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract, and I’m going to say he’s not worth it,” Kyrie said bluntly on stream. “Obviously, Stephen A., this is for an [example],” he clarified, making clear it wasn’t a personal attack—just a point about fairness.

BasketNews

The 57-year-old’s effort and commitment went into overdrive during the NBA Playoffs, the same way they did over the last several springs, with Smith often pulling double duty with First Take in the morning and basketball studio analysis at night. This, however, will be the last time Smith encounters this particular set of circumstances at ESPN. With the Inside the NBA crew moving over from TNT Sports starting next season, Smith will no longer have those late NBA Countdown assignments. “Inside The NBA is coming here and nobody can be happier for that than me,” Stephen A. continued. “Not just because those guys are great, but it gives me what I believe to be well-earned relief. It’s been a long time. I’ve been covering the NBA for 30 years, so I’m going to get somewhat of a reprieve to some degree in that regard in terms of an inordinate amount of assignments that I’ve had in the past. So, I’m happy about that.”

boardroom.tv

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is “taking Memphis Mayor Paul Young on his invitation to visit the Bluff City,” according to Jason Munz the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Smith caused a “major stink” on June 17, when his comments about Memphis set off a “firestorm of reactions” -- including from Grizzlies G Ja Morant. Young posted on social media: “Stephen, we’ll welcome you here anytime. Just don’t bet against us. Memphis doesn’t stay down.” And less than 48 hours later, Smith “accepted the invitation.”

Sports Business Journal

What is going on with you and LeBron James? Stephen A. Smith: I have nothing to say about that. I don’t like him, and he don’t like me. He’s one of the greatest players who’s ever lived. I’m going to show him that respect, and I’m going to cover him objectively. When he does great, I’m gonna applaud. When he doesn’t do great, I’m not gonna applaud. He hid behind his son [Los Angeles Laker Bronny James], tried to make something out of nothing, as if I was dogging his son, which I was not. The real issue was we don’t like each other. And he used that as an excuse to confront me. I got it.

Rolling Stone

He also posted, “Instead of focusing on the performances we seen from Jdub/Shai [Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander], Tj/Siakam [T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam], how this series is going,” Morant continued. “We say [something] negative about a city/team on a national level.” The tweet seemingly made it's way back to Stephen A. Smith, which prompted him to make a long post saying: “So this is what we’re doing now @JaMorant? I recall talking about the Finals. But the @memgrizz made news because of Bane getting traded. AND, your possible extension coming up. Would you prefer I go into detail about WTH has been going on in Memphis? Why players have stated they’re not interested in going? Or even MORE details? Or would you like me to leave well enough alone, and let the great peeps of Memphis address it on their own? Your call! I’m all ears!”

Clutch Points

Ja Morant: talkin bout the grizz more than the finals😂 wit these 🧢 ahh sources. Instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai , tj/siakam, how this series is going . we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level.

x.com

The topic on the show “First Take” was about whether the team should move on from Morant, where Smith spoke about how the destination is not a “safe environment,” even saying that players have told him that. This garnered the attention of Morant, who took to X, formerly Twitter, and critiqued how the coverage is on the team rather than the current NBA Finals and even called out his “sources.” “Instead of focusing on the performances we seen from Jdub/Shai [Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander], Tj/Siakam [T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam], how this series is going,” Morant continued. “We say [something] negative about a city/team on a national level.”

Clutch Points

David Samson defending Stephen A. Smith is laughable. The ex-Miami Marlins president and host of Nothing Personal with David Samson said as much, all while coming to the defense of Stephen A. for mindlessly playing Solitaire during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Pat McAfee respects Smith’s commitment to playing your father’s favorite card game. So does Samson. Well, sort of… “Defending someone who I think is a complete blowhard, who does not have complete conviction in all his feelings,” Samson began. “And just wants to make sure he can get clipped and aggregated. By the way, I’m genuflecting in your general direction to get $20 million to do what you do. Believe me.”

Awful Announcing

“My biggest complaint about Stephen A. Smith, about ESPN, is every single game of the NBA Finals, in my mind — forget the digital signage, which was totally botched — my view is that there is not that sort of excitement, that sort of drama,” said Samson. “This series has been full of drama. We’ve got a Game 5 tonight, which is really Game 1 in a 2-out-of-3. Go back to the days when I was young and 66 percent of you weren’t even born. And the first round of the NBA Playoffs…used to be a 2-out-of-3. The most amazing thing about a 2-out-of-3 – and it was the first round — but the most amazing thing is: yikes, you gotta win Game 1.

Awful Announcing

Fullcourtpass: Giannis Antetokounmpo response to Stephen A Smith calling him a potential “underachiever” 👀 (h/t @BucksShowYo )

Twitter

Most notably, Smith said that Antetokounmpo would be an “underachiever” if he did not win another NBA title. Smith noted Antetokounmpo’s career accomplishments but also referenced the fact that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have not won a playoff series since 2022 (which Smith called “unacceptable”). In a post to his Instagram Story on Sunday, Antetokounmpo responded to Smith’s comments. Antetokounmpo reposted a message from a fan that read, “Giannis went from selling sunglasses on a beach in Greece to a multi-millionaire who won a championship without having to run to a superteam. He has over-achieved his wildest dreams and anyone who thinks otherwise is ridiculous.” Antetokounmpo added a couple of “100” emojis as well as a fire emoji to a screenshot of the post.

Larry Brown Sports

Stephen A. Smith playing solitaire during Game 4 of the NBA Finals

reddit

PHNX Suns: Kevin Durant had thoughts for IG on that Stephen A Smith pic: “Cmon Steve” 😂

Twitter