Knicks Return to NBA Finals Amid Coverage Changes
The New York Knicks played their first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999 on Monday night. ESPN treated the event with the same seriousness they would for the Super Bowl or a National Championship.
Yet, Stephen A. Smith, usually a significant presence in Knicks coverage, was notably absent.
“It’s a bit wild when you think about it. Just two years back, Stephen A. was getting huge coverage from ESPN, much like that famous entrance with Spike Lee. Now, with the Knicks in the Finals, he seems nearly invisible,” remarked sports media reporter Ryan Glaspiegel on Monday night.
This month, ESPN released details on the Knicks versus Spurs series, but Smith wasn’t included in any announcements regarding his role.
Instead of Smith, the focus was on Pat McAfee, who hosted a special alternate broadcast on ESPN while the traditional game was shown on ABC. There’s even talk of McAfee leading a similar broadcast for ESPN’s first Super Bowl this season.
At the same time, McAfee is in negotiations for a new contract with ESPN that could be worth about 10 million yen, or around $60 million annually—a noteworthy increase from his current agreement.
If this deal goes through, McAfee would be making far more than Smith’s estimated $20 million salary. It’s worth noting that ESPN compensates McAfee via a production contract for his daily show, in addition to his salary for College GameDay. This investment signifies McAfee’s rising importance within the network.
This marks possibly the first instance since 2016 where ESPN has prioritized a talent over Stephen A. Smith.
After the Knicks’ triumph over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN granted McAfee prime airtime to host a special featuring key sports commissioners, including figures like MLB’s Rob Manfred and NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Normally, that kind of spot would have gone to Smith.
McAfee’s appeal could be attributed to several factors. He’s 39 years old, while Smith is 58, and McAfee is rapidly growing in popularity across digital platforms, which ESPN sees as crucial for future programming.
Additionally, McAfee’s show has been doing remarkably well, while “First Take” has struggled to keep pace with the ratings growth of other ESPN shows. For instance, McAfee’s show rose 16% last month, while “First Take” only increased by 5%.
In recent months, there’s been a sense that Smith is somewhat out of touch with sports, especially outside of the NBA. His public disputes with athletes and preoccupations with topics outside sports have left fans questioning his commitment. Some speculate he may not even watch much sports anymore.
Perhaps years of televised debates have taken a toll.
Moreover, Smith’s quality of work seems to have slipped. Many find his arguments lacking in logic, particularly since his long-time sparring partner Max Kellerman left “First Take” in 2021. Meanwhile, McAfee features high-profile guests like Nick Saban and Aaron Rodgers.
Interestingly, McAfee has managed to steer clear of the political controversies that have marred ESPN’s reputation, focusing instead on the joy of sports commentary—a sometimes underrepresented aspect in media today.
It might be time for Smith to consider a new direction. Maybe adding a full-time debate partner for “First Take” could be a good start, or even bringing back Skip Bayless.
Criticizing political figures during a prominent sports event is probably not the right approach.
On a side note, although Pat McAfee’s future at ESPN seemed uncertain, his performance has surpassed expectations. Reports suggest that despite having two years left on his current deal, there’s a possibility of an extension, potentially putting him in the league of media personalities like Joe Rogan and Howard Stern.
