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, radio host, and actor. He's best known for his work with ESPN, where he provides NBA analysis on shows like SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and First Take. He has also hosted his own radio show and contributes as a columnist for ESPN and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith is a well-recognized and often outspoken figure in the world of sports media.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1991: College Graduation

In 1991, Stephen A. Smith graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication.

1994: Joined The Philadelphia Inquirer

In 1994, Stephen A. Smith began working as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he covered the Philadelphia 76ers and later became a general sports columnist.

1999: Television Career Began on CNN/SI

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

April 11, 2005: Hosted Radio Show on WEPN

On April 11, 2005, Stephen A. Smith began hosting a radio show on WEPN in New York City.

August 2005: Hosted '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.

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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.

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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, appearing as a television reporter.

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August 23, 2007: Demoted at The Philadelphia Inquirer

On August 23, 2007, The Philadelphia Inquirer announced Stephen A. Smith would no longer write columns and was demoted to general assignment reporter.

September 20, 2007: Shift in Radio Show Time Slot

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

2007: Acted 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 radio show on WEPN came to an end as he pursued television opportunities.

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 own blog, stephena.com.

April 17, 2009: Departure from ESPN Announced

On April 17, 2009, Stephen A. Smith announced his departure from ESPN, which was set for May 1, 2009.

May 1, 2009: Left ESPN

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

November 2009: Joined Fox Sports Radio

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

January 4, 2010: Hosted Fox Sports Radio Morning Show

On January 4, 2010, Stephen A. Smith became the host of a Fox Sports Radio morning show.

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 appearances.

February 1, 2011: Returned to ESPN

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

2011: Became FSR NBA Insider

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

April 24, 2012: Left LA 710 ESPN

On April 24, 2012, Stephen A. Smith left LA 710 ESPN.

April 30, 2012: Joined 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 show's new "Embrace Debate" format, alongside Skip Bayless.

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May 2012: Started the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show

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

2013: Left ESPN for Sirius XM Radio

In 2013, Stephen A. Smith left ESPN to join Chris Russo's Mad Dog Sports Channel on Sirius XM Radio.

August 6, 2014: Return to ESPN After Suspension

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

2014: Appeared in Oberto 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 various sports figures.

2014: Signed 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: Appeared 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.

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November 5, 2016: Joined 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: Returned to ESPN from Sirius XM

On January 17, 2017, Stephen A. Smith moved from Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports channel back to ESPN, with his daily program heard on WEPN, KSPN, and Sirius XM's ESPN channel.

2019: New ESPN Contract and UFC Commentator Role

In 2019, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth approximately $60 million over five years and became a UFC commentator.

2020: Academy Awards After-Party 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: Entered Soccer Coverage Space

On June 10, 2021, Stephen A. Smith ventured into soccer coverage, 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: Expanded Hockey Coverage on ESPN

In 2021, following ESPN's acquisition of NHL broadcasting rights, Stephen A. Smith began discussing hockey more frequently on First Take and Stephen A.’s World. He roasted the Edmonton Oilers and equated the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff failures to the Dallas Cowboys’.

2022: Expanded Hockey Coverage on ESPN

In 2022, following ESPN's acquisition of NHL broadcasting rights, Stephen A. Smith continued discussing hockey more frequently on First Take and Stephen A.’s World. He roasted the Edmonton Oilers and equated the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff failures to the Dallas Cowboys’.

2025: Signed New ESPN and SiriusXM Contracts

In 2025, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth over $100 million over five years, and a contract with SiriusXM worth $36 million over three years.