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 television personality, radio host, analyst, and actor. He's known for his role as an NBA analyst on ESPN's SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and broadcasts. Smith also hosted The Stephen A. Smith Show on ESPN Radio and currently serves as a commentator on ESPN's First Take. Additionally, he is a columnist for ESPN and The Philadelphia Inquirer, solidifying his presence across multiple platforms in sports media.
1994: Joins The Philadelphia Inquirer
In 1994, Stephen A. Smith began working as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, covering the Philadelphia 76ers as their NBA columnist and eventually becoming a general sports columnist.
1999: Television Career on CNN/SI
In 1999, Stephen A. Smith started his television career on the now-defunct cable network CNN/SI.
April 11, 2005: Hosts Radio Show on WEPN
On April 11, 2005, Stephen A. Smith began hosting a weekday noon to 2 p.m. radio show on WEPN in New York City with B.T. (Brandon Tierney).
August 2005: Hosts Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN
In August 2005, Stephen A. Smith began hosting a daily hour-long show on ESPN called Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith.
January 2007: Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith Canceled
In January 2007, Stephen A. Smith's show Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith was canceled on ESPN, after which he focused 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: Demoted 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 to a general assignment reporter.
September 20, 2007: Radio Show Shifted to New Time Slot
On September 20, 2007, Stephen A. Smith's radio 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 was in the Chris Rock film "I Think I Love My Wife".
April 2008: End of Radio Show on WEPN
In April 2008, Stephen A. Smith's radio show on WEPN came to an end as he sought to expand his career in television.
2008: Departure from The Philadelphia Inquirer and Blog Launch
In 2008, Stephen A. Smith's relationship with The Philadelphia Inquirer ended, coinciding with the launch of his blog, stephena.com.
April 17, 2009: Announces Departure from ESPN
On April 17, 2009, Stephen A. Smith announced on his website that he would be leaving ESPN on May 1, 2009.
May 1, 2009: Leaves ESPN
On May 1, 2009, Stephen A. Smith left ESPN, with the network citing they decided to move in different directions.
November 2009: Joins 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 on the Chris Myers-Steve Hartman afternoon show.
January 4, 2010: Hosts Fox Sports Radio Morning Show
On January 4, 2010, Stephen A. Smith became the host of a Fox Sports Radio morning show, 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 shows.
February 1, 2011: Returns to ESPN
On February 1, 2011, ESPN announced that Stephen A. Smith would return to ESPN as a columnist for ESPN.com and host weekday local radio shows on 1050 ESPN Radio New York and 710 ESPN Radio Los Angeles.
April 24, 2012: Leaves LA 710 ESPN
On April 24, 2012, Stephen A. Smith left LA 710 ESPN.
April 30, 2012: Joins First Take Full-Time
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" with Skip Bayless.
May 2012: Joins 98.7 WRKS with Ryan Ruocco
In May 2012, Stephen A. Smith joined Ryan Ruocco on 98.7 WRKS as part of ESPN New York's move, debuting the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show.
2013: Leaves ESPN for Sirius XM Radio
In 2013, Stephen A. Smith left ESPN to join Sirius XM Radio's Mad Dog Sports Channel.
August 6, 2014: Returns to ESPN after suspension
On August 6, 2014, Stephen A. Smith returned to ESPN after his week-long suspension, resuming his appearances on their programs.
2014: Beef Jerky Commercials
Beginning in 2014, Stephen A. Smith has appeared in a series of Oberto all-natural beef jerky commercials as "The Little Voice in Your Stomach", alongside athletes and sports figures.
2014: Signs Multi-Year Deal with ESPN
In 2014, Stephen A. Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN, earning him over $3 million per year.
March 31, 2016: Appears as Brick on General Hospital
On March 31, 2016, Stephen A. Smith appeared as Brick on General Hospital, and has made guest appearances in the role every year since.
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: Returns 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 daily two-hour program on WEPN in New York and KSPN in Los Angeles.
August 2017: Criticizing Zach Randolph for marijuana possession
In August 2017, Stephen A. Smith criticized NBA player Zach Randolph for being arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell.
2017: Using catchphrases on First Take
In 2017, Stephen A. Smith frequently used the catchphrase "blasphemous" on First Take and referred to Aaron Rodgers as a "bad man." He also wore Rodgers' jersey on two occasions on First Take.
2018: Jokingly delivering his 'Stay off the weed!' line at live First Take taping
In 2018, after J. R. Smith's blunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Stephen A. Smith jokingly delivered his "Stay off the weed!" line at a live First Take taping, implying that Smith was high at the time. The outburst garnered applause from the audience.
May 2019: Criticizing D'Angelo Russell for marijuana possession
In May 2019, Stephen A. Smith criticized NBA player D'Angelo Russell for being cited for marijuana possession at LaGuardia Airport.
2019: New Contract with ESPN and UFC Commentator
In 2019, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth approximately $60 million over five years and became a UFC commentator as ESPN became the UFC's television broadcaster.
2020: Commentator for Academy Awards After-Party
In 2020, Stephen A. Smith served as a commentator for the after-party coverage of the 92nd Academy Awards on ABC.
June 10, 2021: Breaks into Soccer Coverage
On June 10, 2021, Stephen A. Smith began covering soccer, selecting a Euro 2020 team.
June 14, 2021: Introduces "Ain't No Way" Soccer Segment
On June 14, 2021, Stephen A. Smith followed up his soccer coverage with another segment called "Ain't No Way".
June 2021: Criticizing Alex Caruso for marijuana possession
In June 2021, Stephen A. Smith criticized NBA player Alex Caruso for being arrested in Texas for marijuana possession.
2021: Talking about hockey on First Take and Stephen A.’s World
In 2021, after ESPN acquired broadcasting rights for the NHL, Stephen A. Smith began discussing hockey more often on First Take and Stephen A.’s World. He roasted Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl after they got swept by the Winnipeg Jets and equated the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff failures to that of the Dallas Cowboys’.
2022: ESPN Broadcasting NHL rights
In 2022, ESPN acquired the broadcasting rights for the NHL in the United States, after which Stephen A. Smith would talk about hockey more often on both First Take and his new show Stephen A.’s World.
May 2025: Donald Trump entertained the idea of Smith running in the next election
In May 2025, Donald Trump suggested that Stephen A. Smith should run in the next election, praising Smith's entertainment skills. Shortly after, Smith told CNN that if he ran, he would run as a Democrat, while expressing criticism toward the current state of the party.
2025: Signs new contracts with ESPN and SiriusXM
In 2025, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth over $100 million over five years. He also signed a contract with SiriusXM worth $36 million over three years.
2025: Samantha makes appearances with her father on ESPN and radio show
In 2025, Stephen A. Smith's daughter, Samantha, made a few appearances alongside her father on ESPN and on his radio show.
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