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, and journalist. He is widely known for his role as an NBA analyst on ESPN, appearing on shows like SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and First Take alongside Molly Qerim. Smith also has experience hosting his own show on ESPN Radio and contributes as a columnist for ESPN and The Philadelphia Inquirer. His outspoken and opinionated style has made him a recognizable figure in the sports media landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1994: Joined The Philadelphia Inquirer

In 1994, Stephen A. Smith started as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, reporting on the Philadelphia 76ers.

1999: Television Career on CNN/SI

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

2004: NHL Abolished Ties

In 2004, the NHL abolished ties following the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Stephen A. Smith claimed tie games still existed in the sport despite this change.

April 11, 2005: WEPN Radio Show Debut

On April 11, 2005, Stephen A. Smith began hosting a weekday 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' Cancelled

In January 2007, Stephen A. Smith's show 'Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith' was cancelled, leading him to concentrate on basketball analysis for ESPN.

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 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 be writing columns and would be demoted back to general assignment reporter.

September 20, 2007: Shift to National Broadcast on ESPN Radio

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

2007: Appears in "I Think I Love My Wife"

In 2007, Stephen A. Smith appeared in the Chris Rock film I Think I Love My Wife.

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April 2008: End of Radio Show on WEPN

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

2008: Departure from The Philadelphia Inquirer

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

April 17, 2009: Announcement of Departure from ESPN

On April 17, 2009, Stephen A. Smith announced his departure from ESPN, effective May 1, 2009.

May 1, 2009: Leaves ESPN

Stephen A. Smith officially leaves ESPN on May 1, 2009, due to both parties moving 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.

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 political views from his website and cable news shows.

February 1, 2011: Return to ESPN

On February 1, 2011, ESPN announced that Stephen A. Smith would return as a columnist for ESPN.com and host local radio shows.

2011: Resident FSR NBA Insider

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

April 24, 2012: Departure from 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 the "Embrace Debate" format, facing off against Skip Bayless.

May 2012: Debuts Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show

In May 2012, Stephen A. Smith debuted the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show on 98.7 WEPN, replacing Robin Lundberg.

2013: Move to Sirius XM Radio

In 2013, Stephen A. Smith left ESPN for Sirius XM Radio, joining Chris Russo's Mad Dog Sports Channel, following controversial comments regarding the Ray Rice situation.

August 6, 2014: Return to ESPN After Suspension

Stephen A. Smith returned to ESPN on August 6, 2014, after serving a 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 sports figures.

2014: Multi-Year Deal with ESPN

In late 2014, Stephen A. Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN, earning 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 Boxing Broadcast

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 Radio

On January 17, 2017, Stephen A. Smith moved from Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports channel back to ESPN, with his show airing on WEPN in New York, KSPN in Los Angeles, and Sirius XM's ESPN channel.

August 2017: Criticized Zach Randolph

In August 2017, Stephen A. Smith criticized NBA player Zach Randolph after he was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell.

2017: Wore Aaron Rodgers' jersey on First Take

In 2017, Stephen A. Smith wore Aaron Rodgers' jersey on two occasions on First Take. Once after the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers, and again during a special taping of First Take from Dallas where he was booed by the crowd.

2018: Stay off the weed!

In 2018, following 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 J. R. Smith's error could only happen if the player was high.

May 2019: Criticized D'Angelo Russell

In May 2019, Stephen A. Smith criticized NBA player D'Angelo Russell after he was cited for marijuana possession at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

2019: New ESPN Contract and UFC Commentator

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

2020: Commentator for Academy Awards

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

2020: Academy Awards Commentator

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 entered the soccer coverage space, 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 Euro 2020 team selection with another soccer segment called "Ain't No Way".

June 2021: Criticized Alex Caruso

In June 2021, Stephen A. Smith criticized NBA player Alex Caruso after he was arrested in Texas for marijuana possession.

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

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

2022: Talked about hockey more often on First Take and Stephen A.’s World

In 2022, Stephen A. Smith talked about hockey more often on both First Take and Stephen A.’s World because ESPN acquired broadcasting rights for the NHL in the United States as of the 2021-2022 season.

2024: Voted for Kamala Harris

In 2024, Stephen A. Smith announced he voted for Kamala Harris in the election but expressed disappointment in her performance, feeling like a fool for doing so.