Michelle Beadle expressed that it was “a bit embarrassing” to find out her SiriusXM radio show is being replaced by one of Stephen A. Smith’s upcoming programs, set to debut this September.
During their show “Beadle and Decker,” which airs daily on the Mad Dog Sports Radio Channel from 12-3pm, Beadle revealed that she and her co-host Cody Decker learned about Smith’s show taking over their slot just hours before the news became public.
“Yeah, the cat is out of the bag, I think we’re talking about it,” Beadle mentioned.
She added, “We weren’t aware until just a few hours earlier. We received notifications but no specifics were provided. It was communicated that details would remain private.”
“Of course, Hollywood reporters had all the inside information,” Beadle continued. “So, yeah, it’s a little embarrassing, I won’t lie about that. I’ve been in this industry for over two decades and this isn’t the first time I’ve had a rough experience, but this one really didn’t feel good.”
Beadle, who previously hosted ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” before parting ways with the network in 2019, didn’t mention Smith directly.
Currently, she also hosts “Run It Back,” an NBA-focused talk show on Fanduel TV featuring former players Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams.
Smith, who announced his multi-year agreement with SiriusXM while appearing on “The Howard Stern Show,” is set to introduce major sports stories on the Mad Dog Sports Radio Show starting on September 2.
His second show, which will focus on weekly events, pop culture, and social commentary, is also set to launch in September, although the exact date hasn’t been released yet.
Additionally, Smith runs his own YouTube show that discusses topics ranging from pop culture to politics.
The Mad Dog Sports Radio Channel is managed by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who frequently appears on ESPN’s “First Take.”
According to Athletic, this new deal for Smith follows a $100 million contract extension he signed with ESPN earlier this year.
Smith expressed his excitement about the SiriusXM deal, saying, “To say I’m excited is an understatement. I’ve spent a lot of time sharing my views, so I’m thrilled to reconnect. September can’t come fast enough. I’m eager to get back into radio, especially interacting with callers. Buckle up!”
