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 and radio personality, journalist, and NBA analyst. He is known for his appearances on ESPN's SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and First Take, where he provides commentary alongside Molly Qerim. Smith also contributes as a columnist for ESPN and The Philadelphia Inquirer. His career encompasses various roles in sports media, solidifying his presence as a recognizable and influential figure in sports broadcasting.

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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, covering the Philadelphia 76ers as an 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: 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 with 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

In January 2007, the show "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith" was cancelled, after which he concentrated 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 be writing columns and would be demoted back to the position of general assignment reporter.

September 20, 2007: Shifted Radio Show Slot

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

2007: Role in I Think I Love My Wife

In 2007, Stephen A. Smith was 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 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: Announcement of 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: Departure from ESPN

On May 1, 2009, Stephen A. Smith officially left ESPN. Reports indicate that ESPN and Smith could not reach an agreement during negotiations.

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 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 weekday local radio shows on 1050 ESPN Radio New York and 710 ESPN Radio Los Angeles.

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: 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" with Skip Bayless.

May 2012: Debut of 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: Move to Sirius XM Radio

In the summer of 2013, Stephen A. Smith left ESPN for Sirius XM Radio, joining 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 after serving a one-week suspension.

2014: Multi-Year Deal with ESPN

In late 2014, Stephen A. Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN paying 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 and has made guest appearances in the role every year since.

November 5, 2016: Joining Top Rank's Broadcast 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 daily two-hour program.

2017: Wore Aaron Rodgers' Jersey on First Take

In 2017, Stephen A. Smith wore Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' jersey on two occasions on First Take: once after the Dallas Cowboys' elimination by the Packers, and again during a special taping in Dallas, where he was booed by the live audience.

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.

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.

2020: Stephen A. Smith 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: Soccer Coverage Space

On June 10, 2021, Stephen A. Smith broke into the soccer coverage space.

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

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

2021: ESPN Acquires NHL Broadcasting Rights

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, including criticizing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and comparing the Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff failures to the Dallas Cowboys'.

2022: Continued NHL Coverage

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