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.
In 1994, Stephen A. Smith began working as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In 1999, Stephen A. Smith started his television career on the now-defunct cable network CNN/SI.
On April 11, 2005, Stephen A. Smith became the host of a weekday radio show on WEPN in New York City.
In August 2005, Stephen A. Smith started hosting a daily hour-long show on ESPN called Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith.
In January 2007, the show Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith was cancelled, and he concentrated on basketball analysis.
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.
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.
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.
In 2007, Stephen A. Smith was in the Chris Rock film I Think I Love My Wife.
In April 2008, Stephen A. Smith's radio show came to an end as he sought to expand his career in television.
In 2008, The Philadelphia Inquirer ended its relationship with Stephen A. Smith, coinciding with Smith starting his own blog, stephena.com.
On April 17, 2009, Stephen A. Smith announced on his website that he would be leaving ESPN on May 1, 2009.
On May 1, 2009, Stephen A. Smith officially left ESPN due to an inability to reach a new agreement.
In November 2009, Stephen A. Smith became an on-air contributor to Fox Sports Radio, breaking the story of Allen Iverson's retirement.
On January 4, 2010, Stephen A. Smith became a Fox Sports Radio morning show host.
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.
On February 1, 2011, ESPN announced that Stephen A. Smith would return as a columnist for ESPN.com and host local radio shows.
In early 2011, Stephen A. Smith became a resident FSR NBA insider and ended his morning show.
On April 24, 2012, Stephen A. Smith left LA 710 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.
In May 2012, Stephen A. Smith debuted the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show on 98.7 WEPN.
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.
On August 6, 2014, Stephen A. Smith returned to ESPN programs after serving his one-week suspension.
Beginning in 2014, Stephen A. Smith appeared in a series of Oberto all-natural beef jerky commercials as "The Little Voice in Your Stomach".
In late 2014, Stephen A. Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN paying him over $3 million per year.
On March 31, 2016, Stephen A. Smith appeared as Brick on General Hospital, continuing to make guest appearances in the role every year since.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 2019, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth approximately $60 million over five years and became a UFC commentator.
In 2020, Stephen A. Smith served as a commentator for the after-party coverage of the 92nd Academy Awards on ABC.
In 2020, Stephen A. Smith served as a commentator for the after-party coverage of the 92nd Academy Awards on ABC.
On June 10, 2021, Stephen A. Smith broke into the soccer coverage space.
On June 14, 2021, Stephen A. Smith followed up with another soccer segment called "Ain't No Way".
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.
In 2022, Stephen A. Smith continued discussing hockey more on First Take and Stephen A.’s World.
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.
In 2025, Stephen A. Smith signed a new contract with ESPN worth over $100 million over five years.
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