Stephen A. Smith, an outspoken media personality, weighed in on Thursday night’s presidential debate.
The longtime ESPN commentator has openly discussed politics in recent years, especially since Jimmy Pitaro became the company’s president in 2018, despite pressure from the network to “focus on sports” and steer clear of political commentary.
Smith appeared on NewsNation’s coverage of the presidential debate on Thursday night and reiterated his desire to enter politics.
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Stephen A. Smith watches Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on June 14. (Jim Cowsert/NBAE via Getty Images)
Shortly after the debate ended, Smith took to social media to offer further thoughts on what happened in Atlanta, and also singled out Vice President Harris and former First Lady Michelle Obama when sharing his thoughts about the debate.
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“So y’all want to stop debating Biden with me already,” Smith shared in a post with X. “Have your fears come true? @MichelleObama. @VP. Someone. Please help! Did Biden’s team want this? His staff, his loved ones…. How can you frame him like that! How!”
In addition to his role at ESPN, Smith also hosts “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” He has previously said the podcast is separate from his duties at the network and that the platform allows him to freely discuss politics and news topics that interest him.
Pitaro became ESPN’s president in 2018. Under his leadership, the network made a conscious shift away from programming and commentary that explored politics and race relations.
Former President Trump (left) and President Biden debated on Thursday night. (Getty Images)
“I had discussions internally with hundreds of employees that sports is about uniting people, and ESPN needs to unite people through sports,” Pitaro said. The Washington Post 2019. “That’s our role, or one of our roles.”
He added that he also tries to listen to what sports fans are saying about the programming they want to watch.
“Obviously, I do and I have my own opinions, but I also recognize that when I or any of our personalities speak publicly, it can be taken as ESPN’s opinion, and that shouldn’t be the case. We’re focused on what our fans are telling us,” Pitaro said.
“What we’ve said from day one is that we are the place of record and we cover the intersection of sports and politics. That hasn’t changed. Why can’t we distinguish between sports news and non-sports news?”
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith appears on the podcast. (PBD Podcast)
But in July 2019, then-ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard accused the network of placing limits on political commentary.
“We at ESPN have no appetite for a fight,” Le Batard said on his radio show at the time. “We’re not going to talk about what’s going on unless it’s some kind of weak, cowardly angle in the sports world.” Le Batard’s comments came on the heels of chants of “send her back” directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) during a political rally.
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Smith has become one of ESPN’s biggest stars and is reportedly in the midst of contract negotiations with the network. packSmith’s contract expires in 2025, but he has been offered a new deal that could pay him $18 million per year.
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