Stephen A. Smith on ESPN Contract, ‘First Take’, Conservative Friends

Stephen A. Smith is riled up. Type of. Throughout a mid-July name from his New Jersey house, the dialog turns to labels and he’s abruptly yelling into the receiver: “I’m not a podcaster! I simply occur to be doing a podcast.” The combative orator of ESPN morning flagship First Take and, sure, his eponymous podcast leans into his persona, but in addition sheds it simply as shortly. “I’m sorry, may you maintain on? My daughter’s giving me an unsightly look,” he says, his tone altering as he turns his consideration to one in all his two kids. “Daddy simply has to complete this.”

Then he’s again to his thunderous monologue, the type that has helped propel Smith to the higher echelon of sports activities media. His 2019 contract extension with ESPN made him the highest-paid expertise in community historical past. And whereas his wage has since been eclipsed by Troy Aikman, Joe Buck and Pat McAfee, that might change once more along with his present renegotiation — which, reviews counsel, may method $100 million over 5 extra years. The 57-year-old Queens native and frequent controversy magnet needs to be prime canine. However he’s equally eager on the concept of not being “the sports activities man” without end.

Your ESPN contract expires in July 2025. Are you comfy with the general public discourse round your renegotiation?

Everyone and their grandmother is aware of! Solely a idiot would talk about their contract throughout negotiations, however there’s solely so many occasions you’ll be able to say “no remark.” After I really feel the necessity to communicate on it’s after I consider what folks have missed. After I received fired [ESPN let Smith go in 2009 before rehiring him in 2011], everyone knew that I failed within the scores. As they chronicled it, I blew my profession. After I got here again, I spotted there are guidelines. I performed by them and I received. That’s the way you go to the negotiating desk.

What does “enjoying by the foundations” imply to you?

Walt Disney doesn’t play. No matter you do, you might be representing the mouse. Below these requirements, this little snot nostril, peanut head, Black child from New York Metropolis turned primary doing issues their approach and doing issues my approach. And I don’t really feel like I’m working for the person. In broadcasting, initially, it was nearly being riveting sufficient to face out. I used to be oblivious to the significance of income and scores. My angle was “my recognition is my recognition.” Now I do know that when ESPN is making a living, I’m a giant a part of it. And if Disney or ESPN are shedding cash, it ain’t due to me.

I’ve heard of you known as a “firm man,” one thing that appears uncommon at any conglomerate right this moment. Do you agree with the label?

Individuals who really feel that approach are filled with shit. All of them reply to any person. You suppose you’ll be able to go on YouTube and simply do what you need to? This notion that any person goes on the market and doesn’t must reply to anyone’s a flat-out lie. I’m not making an attempt to throw any shade — I’m a fan and I’m an admirer of his — however when Joe Rogan received himself into hassle years in the past, he was primary by a mile within the podcast stratosphere. So why was he in hassle? He had any person to reply to. When you’re paid with another person’s cash, so do you. No particular person is larger than a conglomerate. The one individual that’s free is the person who ain’t getting paid.

What’s your tackle the possible demise of Contained in the NBA? That’s a whole lot of legacy broadcasting expertise who’re about to be free brokers.

I’m not anxious about them. They will have a platform anytime they need to. Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Ernie Johnson are treasures within the trade. I can’t think about the NBA happening with out them. If it does, it must be as a result of it’s their selection. If TNT certainly is just not part of the NBA package deal [the NBA rejected TNT’s contract renewal], why in God’s identify would any person else not seize all of them?

Can a sportscaster or analyst be as related on streaming?

Actually. That’s the path that it’s going. What individuals are confused about is that they suppose linear is dying. Watching on a TV, versus a smartphone, is a distinct matter than linear content material. Linear content material’s not going to go away as a result of advertisers received’t let it. They need group, construction, intros and outros. When you don’t have that capacity, it’s not going to work for you.

What are your ideas on athletes turned pundits?

There’s a number of of them that, after they open their mouths, don’t know what the hell they’re speaking about. Only a few. These folks ought to do their analysis extra. Exterior of that, I’ve received no downside with it.

In an interview with The New York Occasions final yr, you stated that you just’d welcome a reprieve from participating in a contentious format on TV day-after-day. Would you like much less arguing in your life?

It’s not a matter of wanting much less. I really like First Take. I hope to do it for years to come back, if issues could possibly be labored out. My challenge is just not First Take. It’s about being restricted to First Take. There’s so much that I can do. I understand how to interview, host tv exhibits, broaden my horizons past the world of sports activities. I wouldn’t thoughts doing one thing much like Invoice Maher or John Oliver or The Day by day Present. If I can do my debate present within the morning after which do different issues, I’d be very pleased with it.

Are you placing that need on the market? There are noticeably zero Black hosts in late evening.

There’s so much that I don’t have to inform folks. For me, the alternatives are there. I’m at Disney as a result of I do know they’ve received a plethora of issues that I could possibly be doing. Once you work for a spot like that, you permit your choices open. Exterior of that, I do let folks know that I’m not inquisitive about being pigeonholed in sports activities.

Did you get pleasure from subbing on Jimmy Kimmel Stay?

I used to be nervous as hell, nevertheless it was one of the fulfilling experiences. They informed me I used to be going to must make folks chortle for a couple of minutes, and I used to be scared to demise. Subsequent factor , I’m speaking for 18 minutes.

Who do you by no means need to interview once more — and who continues to be in your record?

You probably have one thing to say, I’ll interview you. I don’t care who you might be — whether or not you’re the president of the USA or a Ku Klux Klan member. I can interview anyone. I might like to interview Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, 50 Cent, Jay-Z. I’m most likely going to name Invoice O’Reilly quickly.

That group actually runs the gamut — and a few of them feed into the narrative that you’re cozy with conservatives. What’s your tackle that?

I don’t care. I’m a registered impartial. I’ve voted Democrat more often than not, however typically I haven’t been blissful about it. I don’t like the concept of anyone telling me that simply because I’m Black, that is what I ought to do. I’m a centrist that leans left. I’m fiscally conservative. I really like capitalism! However it doesn’t imply that I’m utterly against sure entitlement packages that uplift communities. However they’ll label me this manner as a result of I’m mates with Sean Hannity. I’m not mates with him due to his politics. I’m mates with him as a result of after I was fired, he went on a mission to assist me resurrect my profession.

Nonetheless, you notice that it’s difficult for lots of people to know why any person who doesn’t agree with a Hannity could be mates with a Hannity.

When folks have a look at me on Fox Information and need to denigrate me, I’m like, “Didn’t you see me on NewsNation half-hour earlier, agreeing with Chris Cuomo?” They select to not see that as a result of they need to feed their narrative. That’s kids’s video games. I’m a grown-up. I don’t consider for one second that as a result of somebody disagrees with me that they’re a no-good bastard — or, if you’re a conservative and also you occur to be Black, that it makes you a sellout. That’s weak. Let’s be substantive.

Let’s go in the other way. Stephen A., how do you calm down?

Taking part in pool, going to the flicks and spending time with the folks I really like. As a result of I’ve love in my life, I’m not looking for it. I’m good.

All proper, earlier than I allow you to go, what’s your present relationship with hockey?

Not a rattling factor. (Laughs.) However I’ve received a whole lot of admiration for [NHL commissioner] Gary Bettman. And my curiosity is piqued after being there for sport seven [of the Stanley Cup Finals]. I must pay extra consideration, as a result of I loved it considerably greater than I assumed I might.

This story first appeared within the August 7 challenge of The Hollywood Reporter journal. Click on right here to subscribe.