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, a prominent American sports analyst, is a familiar face on ESPN. He's known for his role as an NBA analyst on shows like SportsCenter and First Take, where he co-hosts with Molly Qerim. Previously, he hosted The Stephen A. Smith Show on ESPN Radio. Additionally, Smith contributes as a columnist for ESPN and The Philadelphia Inquirer, solidifying his presence across various media platforms within the sports world.

Sections (3)

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.

1999: Television Career Start 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 radio show on WEPN in New York City.

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, and 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.

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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: Shift of 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 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.

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April 2008: End of Radio Show

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

2008: End of Relationship with The Philadelphia Inquirer and Start of Blog

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 due to an inability to reach a new agreement.

November 2009: Contributor to Fox Sports Radio

In November 2009, Stephen A. Smith became an on-air contributor to Fox Sports Radio, breaking 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.

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: 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: Joining First Take on ESPN

On April 30, 2012, it was announced that Stephen A. Smith would permanently join First Take five days a week 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 debuted the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show on 98.7 WEPN.

2013: Departure from ESPN for 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 on ESPN2's First Take regarding the Ray Rice situation.

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".

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, continuing to make guest appearances in the role every year since.

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

2017: Use of Catchphrases and Wearing Aaron Rodgers' Jersey on First Take

In 2017, Stephen A. Smith was known for using catchphrases like "blasphemous" on First Take and frequently referring to Aaron Rodgers as a "bad man". He also wore Rodgers' jersey twice on First Take: once after the Dallas Cowboys' elimination by the Packers and again during a live taping in Dallas.

2018: "Stay off the weed!" Line at First Take Taping

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 in Oakland, implying J. R. Smith might have been high at the time.

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 became a UFC commentator.

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.

2020: The 92nd Academy Awards

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

June 10, 2021: Broke into Soccer Coverage Space

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

June 14, 2021: Another Soccer Segment

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

2021: Increased Hockey Coverage and Playoff Commentary

In 2021, after ESPN acquired NHL broadcasting rights, Stephen A. Smith began discussing hockey more on First Take and Stephen A.’s World. He roasted Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl after their playoff loss and compared the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff failures to those of the Dallas Cowboys.

2022: Continued Hockey Coverage

In 2022, Stephen A. Smith continued discussing hockey more on First Take and Stephen A.’s World.

May 2025: Donald Trump's Comments and Smith's Political Stance

In May 2025, Donald Trump suggested Stephen A. Smith should run in the next election, praising his entertainment skills. Shortly after, Smith told CNN's Jake Tapper that if he ran, it would be as a Democrat, though he expressed dissatisfaction with the party's current state and described himself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal.