Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith
Born	Stephen Anthony Smith October 14, 1967 New York City, New York, U.S.
Residence	Cherry Hill, New Jersey, U.S.
Education	Winston-Salem State University
Occupation	Sports television personality sports radio host sports journalist actor

Stephen Anthony Smith^[1] (born October 14, 1967), more commonly known as Stephen A., is an American sports television personality, sports radio host, sports journalist, and actor. Smith is a commentator on ESPN First Take, where he appears with Skip Bayless and Molly Qerim. He also makes frequent appearances as an NBA analyst on SportsCenter. He also is an NBA analyst for ESPN on NBA Countdown and NBA broadcasts on ESPN. Smith formerly hosted The Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show on ESPN Radio New York 98.7 FM He now hosts "The Stephen A. Smith Show" on Christopher Russo's sports radio station: Mad Dog Sports Radio SiriusXM Radio, channel 82. and is a featured columnist for ESPNNY.com, ESPN.com, and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Early years

Smith was born in New York City, New York on October 14, 1967. He was raised in the Hollis section of Queens.^[2] Smith is the second youngest of six children.^[1][3] He has four older sisters and a younger brother named Basil, who died in a car accident in October 1992. He also has a half brother on his father's side. Smith's parents were originally from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and his father managed a hardware store. Smith graduated from Thomas Edison High School in Queens.^[4]

After attending the Fashion Institute of Technology for one year, Smith received a basketball scholarship to attend Winston-Salem State University, a historically black university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While in college, he played basketball under Hall of Fame coach Clarence Gaines. While still on the team, Smith wrote a column for the university newspaper, The News Argus, arguing Gaines should retire due to health issues.^[5] He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Career

Print media

Smith began his print media career with the Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News and Record and the New York Daily News.

Since 1994, Smith has had a position as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer. He began reporting on the Philadelphia 76ers as their NBA columnist, and eventually, as a general sports columnist. On August 23, 2007, the Inquirer announced that Smith would no longer be writing columns and would instead be demoted back to the position of general assignment reporter. In 2008, the Inquirer ended its relationship with Smith, which coincided with Smith starting his own blog, stephena.com. In February 2010, Smith returned to the Philadelphia Inquirer after winning an arbitrator's ruling that he was to be reinstated, but having to agree to remove all of his political views from his website and from cable news shows.^[6]

Radio

On April 11, 2005, Smith became the host of a weekday noon to 2 p.m. radio show on WEPN in New York City with his "right-hand man B.T. (Brandon Tierney)". On September 20, 2007, his radio show was shifted to the 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. slot, with the second hour being broadcast nationally on ESPN Radio, replacing The Dan Patrick Show (Mike Tirico took over the first two hours). The show came to an end in April 2008 as Smith sought to expand his career in television, and beginning May 1 Scott Van Pelt began hosting in the 3–4 p.m. hour that was previously Smith's.

In November 2009, Smith became an on-air contributor to Fox Sports Radio, and was the one who broke the story of Allen Iverson's retirement on the Chris Myers-Steve Hartman afternoon show on November 25. Iverson later ended his short retirement, and re-joined the Philadelphia 76ers on December 2.

Smith became a Fox Sports Radio morning show host on January 4, 2010, replacing Washington, D.C.-based host Steve Czaban. On his radio program, Smith predicted that LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh would all sign with the Miami Heat during 2010 free agency.^[7] In early 2011, Smith became a resident FSR NBA insider and ended his morning show.

It was announced on February 1, 2011, that he would be returning to ESPN as a columnist for ESPN.com and host weekday local radio shows on 1050 ESPN Radio New York (WEPN-AM) at 7–9 p.m. ET as well as 710 ESPN Radio Los Angeles (KSPN-AM) at 6–8 p.m. PT. April 24, 2012 was Smith's last show for LA 710 ESPN.^[8]

It has been reported in an article written by Bob Raissman of the NY Daily News that Smith would leave ESPN 98.7 NY for Sirius XM Radio, where he would join Chris Russo's Mad Dog Sports Channel. This report came a day after Smith made some controversial comments on ESPN 2's First Take regarding the Ray Rice situation.^[9]

Television

Smith started his television career on the now-defunct cable network CNN/SI in 1999.

Smith is currently an analyst and talk show host on ESPN and ESPN First Take. In August 2005, he started hosting a daily hour-long show on ESPN called Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith. After the show was cancelled in January 2007, he mainly concentrated on basketball, serving as an NBA analyst.

Smith is known for provocative analysis and dour delivery. Smith has appeared on other ESPN shows as well, including the reality series Dream Job, as well as serving as a frequent guest (and guest host) on Pardon the Interruption, Jim Rome is Burning and as a participant on 1st and 10 . He has appeared as an anchor on the Sunday morning edition of SportsCenter, but on April 17, 2009 announced on his website that he would be leaving ESPN on May 1, 2009. The Los Angeles Times reported that ESPN commented that, "We decided to move in different directions."^[10] Though according to Big Lead Sports a source says that ESPN and Smith went to the negotiating table and couldn’t reach an agreement.^[11] Since then, Smith has returned to ESPN.

It was announced April 30, 2012 on air that Smith would be joining First Take on a permanent, five-day-per-week basis under a new format for the show called "Embrace Debate" in which he squares off against longtime "First Take" commentator Skip Bayless.

On July 25, 2014, Smith made controversial remarks that women may provoke domestic abuse on ESPN2's show ESPN First Take, in regards to the ongoing situation involving Baltimore Ravens' running back Ray Rice and his wife.^[12] After criticism of the remarks, including comments on Twitter from ESPN reporter Michelle Beadle, Smith apologized for his words on a taped segment on ESPN. On July 29, 2014, Smith was suspended by ESPN for a week and did not appear on any of their programs again until August 6, 2014.^[13]

In late 2014 Smith signed a multi-year deal with ESPN that will pay him over $3 million per year.^[14]

In a March 9, 2015 episode of First Take, while discussing the topic of Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Chip Kelly trading away running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso, Smith said: "Chip Kelly makes decisions over the last couple of years that, dare I say, leave a few brothers feeling uncomfortable." Michael David Smith of NBS Sports believed that Smith was hinting at the fact that Kelly's roster moves regarding the 2014 release of wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the McCoy trade and letting wide receiver Jeremy Maclin depart for free agency to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, while still keeping wide receiver Riley Cooper on the Eagles' roster to be racially motivated.^[15] In an interview with ESPN the Magazine that was published on May 8, 2015, McCoy admitted that while he respected Kelly as a head coach, he did not see eye to eye with him. McCoy also believed that some of the roster moves that are being made by Kelly are racially motivated.^[16] Kelly has said that the roster moves that he has made have nothing to do with race, it has to do with finding the right players that fit well into his team.^[17] Smith defended his comments by saying that he never used a form of the word racism to imply that Kelly was a racist.^[18]

On June 11, 2015, Smith received criticism for a comment he made about female soccer players during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. While on SportsCenter, a replay was shown of a goal scored by Norway on a free kick against Germany. Tim Legler pointed out that the German players forming the wall turned their heads as the ball went by, and Smith joked that the players "might not had wanted to mess their hair". Smith's comment was criticized as being sexist and a poor joke. ESPN said they spoke with Smith about the comment, and he later apologized in a series of tweets.^[19]

In an October 5, 2015 episode of First Take, Smith made headlines when he addressed Oklahoma City Thunder franchise player Kevin Durant with a personal attack on air. Smith reported that Durant's top preferred destination in free agency for the 2016-17 NBA season would be with the Los Angeles Lakers if Durant and Oklahoma City could not agree to terms on a new contract extension. Durant's current contract expires after the 2015-16 season. Smith and other media outlets have also reported on the past that teams like the Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, and the Miami Heat are also interested in signing Durant as a free agent. Durant strongly denied Smith's report by saying that: "I don't talk to Stephen A. Smith at all. Nobody in my family, my friends --- they don't talk to Stephen A. Smith. So he's lying. If you ask me a question, I'll talk about them but like I said before, I have people who I talk to about everything, and I know for a fact they didn't talk to him, so he's making up stories." Smith was offended by Durant's response and defended his report by saying: “I said if OKC, if Kevin Durant decides to leave OKC, I’m hearing that L.A. is a prime spot that he is considering. Not to say he’s not considering D.C., Miami, New York or whatever … that’s what I heard. I’m not lying. If I were wrong Kevin Durant would have signed his extension with OKC. Okay? You being represented by Roc Nation, I know these boys. They’re not small-timers. They don’t want Kevin Durant just because of his name, they want him because this brother’s going to do big things and they’re going to see to it that he’s going to do big things. Are you trying to tell me these large markets are not a consideration? I said nothing offensive about him. I will not say anything offensive about him. I still stand here today telling you: he’s a good dude, but he’s wrong. And the guys that put it up to him — put him up to it — in their own way — I’m not talking about literally his comments but in their own way with their chirping behind my back all the time, they’re wrong too. And the sensitivity that these guys are showing, they are making unnecessary enemies. I am not one of them. I won’t be. I’ve got too much love and respect for who these guys are and what they mean to my community. But I will say this lastly: you don’t want to make an enemy out of me. And I’m looking right into the camera and I’m going to say it again. You do not want to make an enemy out of me. I’m not having it. I’ve done nothing wrong and I’m not going to tolerate it.“ Both Smith and Durant have been criticized by the fans and the media for going personal with each other. ^[20]

Acting career

Smith made his acting debut on the ABC soap opera General Hospital in a cameo appearance as a television reporter on the February 2, 2007, episode .^[21] Later the same year, he was in the Chris Rock motion picture I Think I Love My Wife.

Beginning in 2014, he has appeared in a series of Oberto all-natural beef jerky commercials as "The Little Voice in Your Stomach," each time appearing alongside sports figures, such as star athletes Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and pro snowboarder Louie Vito, and notable basketball sportscaster Dick "Dickie V" Vitale. Smith will return to General Hospital on April 1, 2016, though at press time the role was unknown.^[22]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	ref
2007	I Think I Love My Wife	Allan	Romantic comedy film directed by and also starring Chris Rock.	[23]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	ref
2007	General Hospital	Reporter	Cameo appearance	[21]
2016		Brick		[22]

References

1. Greenfield, Karl Taro (August 1, 2005), "Stephen A., As In . . .", Sports Illustrated 103 (4), archived from the original on September 15, 2013
2. Britell, Alexander (October 8, 2012). "For ESPN’s Stephen A Smith, Finding a Sanctuary in St Thomas". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
3. Mizell, Gina (June 18, 2012). "Interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith–the long version". The Oklahoman. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
4. "Stephen X". Philadelphia Magazine. December 2004. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
5. Richard Sandomir, ESPN's New Master of the Offensive Foul, The New York Times, July 31, 2005, Accessed January 22, 2009.
6. Stephen A. Smith in Inquirer After 2-Year Feud | The Maynard Institute. Mije.org (February 8, 2010). Retrieved on December 22, 2011.
7. LeBron James Picks Miami: Stephen A. Smith Was Right – Speakeasy – WSJ. Blogs.wsj.com (July 8, 2010). Retrieved on July 26, 2014.
8. Stephen A. Smith is reportedly close to new deal to return to ESPN. NY Daily News (January 26, 2011) Retrieved February 10, 2012
9. Nydailynews.com
10. Stephen A. Smith is leaving ESPN – latimes.com. Latimesblogs.latimes.com (April 17, 2009). Retrieved on December 22, 2011.
11. Enjoy Stephen A. Smith While You Can – He’s Got About Six Three Weeks Left at ESPN. The Big Lead (April 16, 2009). Retrieved on December 22, 2011.
12. The Huffington Post
13. Mandell, Nina (29 July 2014). "Stephen A. Smith won't be on ESPN for a week after controversial comments". USA Today. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
14. turner, gus. "ESPN stephan a smith agree to new contract". complex.com. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
19. http://www.businessinsider.com/espn-stephen-smith-womens-world-cup-joke-2015-6
20. http://thebiglead.com/2015/10/05/stephen-a-smith-to-kevin-durant-you-dont-want-to-make-an-enemy-out-of-me/
21. "Disney Inundates General Hospital Episode With References To New Year's Eve College Football Playoff Games". Deadspin. December 30, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
22. "A HOST OF CAMEOS ON GH". Soap Opera Digest (United States). American Media, Inc. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
23. "I Think I Love My Wife". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 11, 2016.

External links

• Official website
• Stephen A. Smith at the Internet Movie Database