Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Stephen A. Smith

How Stephen A. Smith built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Stephen A. Smith is a prominent American sports analyst, television personality, and radio host. He is best known for his role as an NBA analyst on ESPN, appearing on shows like SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and First Take. Smith has also hosted his own show on ESPN Radio and contributes as a columnist for both ESPN and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He is a well-recognized and often controversial figure in sports media.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1994: Writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer

In 1994, Stephen A. Smith began working as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, starting as an NBA columnist covering the Philadelphia 76ers.

1999: Television Career on CNN/SI

In 1999, Stephen A. Smith began his television career on the now-defunct cable network CNN/SI.

April 11, 2005: Host of Radio Show on WEPN

On April 11, 2005, Stephen A. Smith became the host of a weekday noon to 2 p.m. radio show on WEPN in New York City, alongside Brandon Tierney.

August 2005: Host of Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith

In August 2005, Stephen A. Smith started hosting a daily hour-long show on ESPN called "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith."

January 2007: Cancellation of Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith

In January 2007, the show "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith" was cancelled, leading Stephen A. Smith to concentrate mainly on basketball analysis.

February 2, 2007: Acting Debut on General Hospital

On February 2, 2007, Stephen A. Smith made his acting debut on the ABC soap opera General Hospital in a cameo appearance as a television reporter.

August 23, 2007: Demotion at The Philadelphia Inquirer

On August 23, 2007, The Philadelphia Inquirer announced that Stephen A. Smith would no longer write columns and would be demoted back to the position of general assignment reporter.

September 20, 2007: Shift to 2-4 PM Slot on WEPN

On September 20, 2007, Stephen A. Smith's show on WEPN was shifted to the 2–4 p.m. slot, with the second hour being broadcast nationally on ESPN Radio.

2007: Appearance in I Think I Love My Wife

In 2007, Stephen A. Smith appeared in the Chris Rock film "I Think I Love My Wife", marking another acting role in his career.

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April 2008: End of WEPN Radio Show

In April 2008, Stephen A. Smith's show on WEPN came to an end as he sought to expand his career in television.

2008: Departure from The Philadelphia Inquirer

In 2008, The Philadelphia Inquirer ended its relationship with Stephen A. Smith, coinciding with Smith starting his own blog, stephena.com.

April 17, 2009: Departure from ESPN

On April 17, 2009, Stephen A. Smith announced his departure from ESPN, which was to take effect on May 1, 2009.

May 1, 2009: Departure Effective

On May 1, 2009 Stephen A. Smith officially leaves ESPN.

November 2009: Contributor to Fox Sports Radio

In November 2009, Stephen A. Smith became an on-air contributor to Fox Sports Radio and broke the story of Allen Iverson's retirement.

January 4, 2010: Fox Sports Radio Morning Show Host

On January 4, 2010, Stephen A. Smith became a Fox Sports Radio morning show host, replacing Steve Czaban.

February 2010: Return to The Philadelphia Inquirer

In February 2010, Stephen A. Smith returned to The Philadelphia Inquirer after winning an arbitrator's ruling, agreeing to remove his political views from his website and cable news appearances.

February 1, 2011: Return to ESPN

On February 1, 2011, ESPN announced that Stephen A. Smith would return to ESPN as a columnist for ESPN.com and host for weekday local radio shows on 1050 ESPN Radio New York and 710 ESPN Radio Los Angeles.

2011: FSR NBA Insider

In early 2011, Stephen A. Smith became a resident FSR NBA insider and ended his morning show on Fox Sports Radio.

April 24, 2012: Departure from LA 710 ESPN

On April 24, 2012, Stephen A. Smith left LA 710 ESPN, concluding his tenure there.

April 30, 2012: Joining First Take

On April 30, 2012, it was announced that Stephen A. Smith would be joining First Take on a permanent, five-days-per-week basis under a new format called "Embrace Debate."

May 2012: Debut of Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show

In May 2012, as part of the ESPN New York move to 98.7 WRKS, Stephen A. Smith replaced Robin Lundberg alongside Ryan Ruocco and debuted the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show.

2013: Departure from ESPN for Sirius XM Radio

In the summer of 2013, Stephen A. Smith left ESPN for Sirius XM Radio, where he joined Chris Russo's Mad Dog Sports Channel.

August 6, 2014: Return to ESPN After Suspension

On August 6, 2014, Stephen A. Smith returned to ESPN programs after serving his one-week suspension.

2014: Oberto Beef Jerky Commercials

Beginning in 2014, Stephen A. Smith appeared in a series of Oberto all-natural beef jerky commercials as "The Little Voice in Your Stomach" alongside various sports figures.

2014: Multi-Year Deal with ESPN

In late 2014, Stephen A. Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN, earning him over $3 million per year.

March 31, 2016: Appearance as Brick on General Hospital

On March 31, 2016, Stephen A. Smith appeared as Brick on General Hospital, continuing his involvement with the show in a recurring role.

November 5, 2016: Joins Top Rank Broadcasting Team

On November 5, 2016, Stephen A. Smith joined Top Rank's broadcasting team for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas boxing pay-per-view event.

January 17, 2017: Return to ESPN from Sirius XM

On January 17, 2017, Stephen A. Smith moved from Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports channel back to ESPN, hosting a two-hour program on various platforms.

2019: New Contract with ESPN and UFC Commentary

In 2019, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth approximately $60 million over five years, and he also became a UFC commentator as ESPN became the UFC's television broadcaster.

2020: Commentator for Academy Awards After-Party Coverage

In 2020, Stephen A. Smith served as a commentator for the after-party coverage of the 92nd Academy Awards on ABC.

June 10, 2021: Enters Soccer Coverage Space

On June 10, 2021, Stephen A. Smith expanded his coverage to soccer, selecting a Euro 2020 team.

June 14, 2021: "Ain't No Way" Soccer Segment

On June 14, 2021, Stephen A. Smith followed up his Euro 2020 team selection with another soccer segment called "Ain't No Way".

2021: Talked hockey on First Take and Stephen A.’s World

In 2021, Stephen A. Smith began discussing hockey more frequently on First Take and his new show Stephen A.’s World, especially after ESPN acquired broadcasting rights for the NHL. He roasted Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers after they were swept by the Winnipeg Jets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and also equated the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff failures to that of the Dallas Cowboys’.

2022: Continued Talking Hockey

In 2022, Stephen A. Smith continued to discuss hockey more often on First Take and his show Stephen A.'s World, especially after ESPN acquired broadcasting rights for the NHL.

May 2025: Discussed potential run for office

In May 2025, Donald Trump suggested Stephen A. Smith should run in the next election. Smith then told CNN's Jake Tapper that he would run as a Democrat, though critical of the party, describing himself as fiscally conservative but socially liberal. He also commented on the 2025 New York City mayoral election, criticizing the Democrat Party.