Stephen A. Smith says political figures are ‘clamoring’ for him to get more involved
"My name is Stephen A. Smith, and I approve this message."
Archives
Pat McAfee: ‘Nobody’s wanting…to hear us talk about politics’
Former ESPN writer: ‘If ESPN was truly trying to strip the politics out of its programming, it failed’
"I didn’t want to be constantly monitored like an overactive schoolboy."
Stephen A. Smith goes on Fox News, calls Democrats’ support of Joe Biden’s run for second term ‘utterly embarrassing’
"If he were to win the election, then he’d be in the White House until he’s 86 years old. I think, in the year 2023, it is utterly embarrassing that the liberal side has him as their best candidate."
What is Stephen A. Smith’s endgame?
Growing number of ESPN hosts step into transgender athlete debate
ESPN's delicate dance in the political world is about to get tested again.
Stephen A. Smith says he navigates the merger of sports and politics through fearlessness: ‘I’m not scared’
"I don't have a problem letting you know where the hell I stand and how I feel as it pertains to the world of politics because politics dramatically infiltrates our lives. Why are we going to pretend otherwise?"
ESPN anchor, reporter Michael Eaves signs multi-year extension: “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity”
"I don't know what else to put on the bucket list. I've been very fortunate."
Dan Le Batard to leave ESPN in January: “It was mutually agreed that it was best for both sides to move on.”
Replacing Le Batard's radio slot with Mike Greenberg feels like a pretty good sign of ESPN's current corporate brand over personal brand approach.
Keith Olbermann has left ESPN early to do a “The Worst Person In The World” political commentary series on YouTube
Olbermann is again leaving ESPN, but on good terms.
Aubrey Huff blasts Kenny Mayne, ESPN and Disney, claims they “create more political and racial divide everyday”
"I did make a political opinion but at no time did I threaten anyone’s life. You & ur colleagues @espn @Disney create more political & racial divide everyday. See how you played the race & politics card here to fit ur narrative?"
ESPN told Zach Lowe not to have a Council on Foreign Relations guest on his podcast to discuss the NBA-China situation
ESPN apparently told Lowe he couldn't have a China expert on his podcast, but then they were okay with Jeremy Schaap trying to line up one for Outside The Lines.
Stephen A. Smith brings up Israel-Palestine on “no politics” ESPN, Molly Qerim quickly rushes to commercial break
"I would remind you that, throughout this world, one of the things that exists is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I don't see folks outside the Jewish community talking about that too often."
ESPN memo reportedly told shows to “avoid any political discussions about China and Hong Kong”
ESPN's focus on the basketball issues rather than the root of the Hong Kong protests appears to be by management's design.
Dan Le Batard will reportedly now “check with higher-ups” before discussing political issues
"If Le Batard feels the need to address a political issue in the future, he will check with higher-ups."
After meeting with ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro, Dan Le Batard is set to return to Highly Questionable and his radio show
Le Batard is set to return to a regular radio schedule next week.
Will Cain is bringing “balance” to ESPN again, this time with a controversial take in defense of Kate Smith
"It's an absolute and utter fool's errand to go back through history, decades, someone who's been passed away for 30 years, incidents that occurred eight decades ago, and apply modern historical standards to something you can almost reach a century."
ESPN apologized for playing “Dixie” on graphic showing Andrew Luck as a Union Civil War officer protected by Confederate troops
“It was a mistake to use this song. We regret having done so and we apologize."
Kate Fagan declines extension and leaves ESPN, perhaps another sign of their coverage shifting towards on-field stories
"Five years ago I thought I could host a show that introduces new female characters to the women’s sports world. This isn’t ESPN’s fault, but I’m not that naive now."
Bob Iger says he and Jimmy Pitaro thought ESPN coverage “swung a little bit too far away from the field” to societal and...
"Jimmy felt that the pendulum may have swung a little bit too far away from the field. And I happen to believe he was right."
Nick Wright says much of the Jemele Hill criticism was “unfair,” adds “talking about race is not talking about politics”
"Talking about race is not talking about politics and that discussion has been hijacked. If you acknowledge race, racism, or the racial climate in this country, people say you’re talking about politics. Talking about equal rights is not political."
Jalen Rose bashes Shania Twain over Trump comments, says “Welcome to the walk of shame” in deleted tweet tagging Get Up
"And then you know what she did after that? She apologized. And apologized again. And apologized again. To the point where, I’m tired of reading her apologies."
FiveThirtyEight moves to ABC News, continuing ESPN transition away from politics and personality-focused sites
This fits in as part of ESPN's larger shifts since they launched FiveThirtyEight back in 2014.
New ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro tells employees “I do not believe that we are a political organization.”
"I do not believe that we are a political organization. ...Of course, there is going to continue to be an intersection of between sports and politics and we’re going to continue to cover that. We’re going to cover it fairly and honestly. But we are focused on serving the sports fan."
Michael Wilbon and Marc J. Spears blast Laura Ingraham’s LeBron comments, with Wilbon saying “she comes off like a bigot”
"It's interesting that all these uberconservatives talk about what stable geniuses they are, but they sound like morons when they try and dictate to other people what they should talk about, what they're smart enough to talk about. She comes off like a bigot."