Stephen A Smith: Was fired| Did get fired from espn| Removed from nba countdown

Introduction

Stephen A. Smith is one of the most recognizable voices in sports media — a loud, passionate, and polarizing figure whose presence has long been a fixture on ESPN. So when rumors began circulating that he had been fired or removed from ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” fans took notice. In this article, we will dig into what really happened: was Stephen A. Smith actually fired by ESPN? Did he lose his spot on NBA Countdown? Or was this simply a negotiated change? We’ll examine recent developments, contractual details, his own statements, and the context behind the controversy.

Who Is Stephen A. Smith?

Before diving into the rumors, it’s helpful to understand who Stephen A. Smith is in the context of ESPN and basketball media.

Stephen A. Smith has been a prominent ESPN personality for years. He gained major exposure on First Take, ESPN’s high-profile morning debate show, where he is known for his fiery commentary. But he is also a long-time NBA analyst, having contributed to ESPN’s studio coverage, including “NBA Shootaround” (the earlier version of Countdown) and, more recently, “NBA Countdown.” His expansive media presence also includes radio shows (SiriusXM) and a YouTube show under his own production company.

Smith’s role at ESPN includes being an executive producer on First Take, highlighting how deeply involved he is in the network’s programming.

The Rumors: Was Stephen A. Smith Fired?

In November 2025, rumors exploded online and in media outlets that Stephen A. Smith had been relieved of on-air duties for “NBA Countdown,” with some claiming that he had been fired from ESPN entirely. The uproar was fueled by ESPN’s announcement of a “new-look NBA Countdown” lineup, which notably excluded Smith.

But is there truth to these reports of a firing? The short answer: No — he was not fired from ESPN.

What the Reliable Sources Say

1. No Firing According to Media Reports

   • Multiple outlets, including Sports Illustrated, have made it clear that Smith was not fired.

   • A post claiming he was dismissed came from a parody X account, and that was flagged in fact-checking.

   • In fact, Smith recently signed a five-year contract extension with ESPN, reportedly worth $100 million or more, which strongly suggests he remains a key figure at the network.

2. Stephen A. Smith Denies Being Pushed Out

   • In his own words, he insisted that his departure from regularly appearing on NBA Countdown was negotiated.

   • He said he didn’t want to be “stuck in the studio until after midnight” every game night and that he has other things on his plate.

   • According to Smith, he remains “available when needed,” signaling ESPN didn’t cut him off entirely.

3. Change Was Part of New Contract

   • Reports suggest that when negotiating his new deal with ESPN (signed earlier in 2025), Smith agreed to scale back some of his Countdown appearances.

   • The Athletic, via Andrew Marchand, reported that Smith would no longer be a regular on the pregame show.

   • The network itself rolled out a new NBA Countdown lineup for the 2025–26 season, featuring Malika Andrews, Brian Windhorst, Michael Malone, Kendrick Perkins, and Shams Charania — and without Smith.

Why Was Stephen A. Smith Removed From NBA Countdown?

Given that he was not fired, the real question is: why is he no longer part of the regular NBA Countdown team? Here are the main reasons, based on various reports and Smith’s own comments.

1. Contract Negotiations & New Priorities

   • Smith’s new 5-year deal with ESPN gave him more flexibility.

   • As part of that deal, he decided he wanted to step back from some on-air duties. He expressed in interviews that he had too many responsibilities and preferred not to be in the studio late at night.

   • He also has grown other aspects of his career: his YouTube show, radio shows on SiriusXM, and even a budding interest in political commentary.

2. ESPN’s Strategic Shift

   • ESPN has revamped its NBA studio coverage. The new-look Countdown team is part of a broader restructuring.

   • With the reintroduction of Inside the NBA (TNT’s studio show) on ESPN broadcasts, the network may want fresh voices in its studio lineup.

   • By stepping back, Smith makes space for new analysts and allows ESPN to diversify its pregame team.

3. Mutual Decision

   • According to Smith, his exit from regular Countdown appearances was mutual and well negotiated, not a surprise demotion.

   • He clarified that he’s still part of the ESPN family: he’ll show up when needed, rather than being a fixed fixture every week.

   • This narrative supports the idea that this wasn’t a firing but a reallocation of his time and role within ESPN. Stephen A Smith.

How Fans Reacted

The reaction from fans and the media has been mixed:

• Some were shocked: after being with the Countdown franchise (and its predecessor, NBA Shootaround) since 2003, Smith’s absence felt dramatic.

• Others saw it as inevitable: with his massive contract and external business interests, expectations that he would reduce his on-air commitments were already building.

• There was also speculation on social media (e.g., Reddit) that ESPN might be trying to rein in his ubiquity — or that Smith himself wanted more balance. Stephen A Smith.

What Steve A. Smith Is Doing Now (Despite Countdown Exit)

Even though Smith is not part of the regular NBA Countdown lineup this season, he’s far from out of the picture at ESPN or in the broader media landscape.

1. First Take

   • He continues to host First Take, one of ESPN’s flagship debate shows. This remains his most visible daily on-air role.

2. Radio & YouTube

   • Smith hosts two SiriusXM radio shows, underlining the continued importance of his voice in long-form discussion.

   • He also runs The Stephen A. Smith Show on YouTube via his production company, giving him creative freedom and a direct line to his audience.

3. Contractual Security

   • With his new 5-year contract extension, Smith has long-term security with ESPN.

   • The deal gives him flexibility: he can contribute when ESPN needs him, but he’s not locked into the rigid studio schedule of the past.

4. Potential Political Ambitions

   • In interviews, Smith has expressed a desire to branch out more into political commentary — a path that his new contract seems to support. Stephen A Smith.

Misconceptions & Myths: Debunking the Firing Narrative

Here are some of the key myths surrounding the rumors — and what the facts actually are:

Analysis: Why This Change Makes Sense

Putting together all the evidence and statements, here’s a deeper look at why this move may be strategic (rather than punitive) — both for Stephen A. Smith and ESPN.

1. Workload Management for Smith

   • For years, Smith has juggled First Take, Countdown, radio, YouTube, and other commitments. Scaling back gives him more breathing room.

   • By trimming his regular Countdown role, he frees up time to focus on shows he cares deeply about (like his own production) and to take on new challenges.

2. ESPN’s Evolving Studio Strategy

   • With the reintroduction of Inside the NBA on ESPN broadcasts, the network may be reconfiguring its studio approach to be more dynamic. Bringing in fresh voices (Malika Andrews, Windhorst, Malone, Perkins) could be part of that.

   • A more diverse studio lineup might appeal to changing audience tastes and help ESPN reposition its pregame coverage.

3. Contract Leverage & Brokered Role

   • Smith negotiated this change. According to him, removing himself as a regular on Countdown was part of the bargaining.

   • This isn’t a demotion but a shift: he’s securing his major platforms (First Take, radio, YouTube) while retaining the right to appear on Countdown when ESPN needs him.

4. Long-Term Relevance

   • By focusing on multiple platforms (TV, radio, digital), Smith is diversifying. This helps him maintain influence and relevance beyond just traditional studio shows.

   • His contract security ensures he remains a centerpiece of ESPN’s strategy, rather than a short-term studio analyst. Stephen A Smith.

Potential Risks & What Could Go Wrong

While this change seems beneficial, there are risks for both sides:

• Overexposure vs. Underutilization: If Smith appears too often outside Countdown (e.g., on YouTube, radio), his brand may become diluted. Conversely, if ESPN doesn’t use him enough in big moments, they may under-leverage his star power.

• Audience Backlash: Some long-time viewers may resent his exit from Countdown, especially loyal fans who enjoy his punditry in that format. Maintaining audience engagement will be critical.

• Contract Pressure: With a huge contract comes high expectations. If his new role doesn’t generate the engagement or return ESPN anticipates, both Smith and ESPN could face pressure to renegotiate or change strategy again.

• Internal Network Politics: As ESPN reorganizes its studio teams, there could be friction about who gets screen time, what Smith’s role will be in the future, and how his influence is balanced against other rising analysts. Stephen A Smith.

Conclusion

So, was Stephen A. Smith fired from ESPN? No — the evidence suggests quite the opposite. He negotiated a new deal, scaled back his regular role on NBA Countdown, and repositioned himself to focus on his core passions: First Take, his YouTube show, and radio. This shift appears to be strategic and mutually agreed upon, rather than punitive.

The removal from Countdown is not a sign of decline, but rather evolution. ESPN is refreshing its NBA studio team, and Smith is adjusting his focus to better balance his workload and expand his personal brand.

In short: Stephen A. Smith is not gone — he’s just changing how (and when) he shows up. Stephen A Smith.

FAQs

Q1: Was Stephen A. Smith fired from ESPN?
A1: No, he was not fired. He recently negotiated a five-year, high-value contract extension with ESPN.

Q2: Why did Stephen A. Smith leave NBA Countdown?
A2: According to Smith, it was a mutual, negotiated decision during his new contract. He wanted to reduce his on-air time, citing other priorities and a heavy workload.

Q3: Will Stephen A. Smith ever return to NBA Countdown?
A3: Yes — he said he remains “available when needed,” so he may appear occasionally, even if he’s no longer a regular.

Q4: What is Stephen A. Smith doing now at ESPN?
A4: He continues to host First Take, runs radio shows on SiriusXM, makes YouTube content through his production company, and appears on ESPN when required.

Q5: Is ESPN dropping Stephen A. Smith because of poor performance?
A5: There’s no evidence of that. The change appears to be contractual and strategic. Smith’s new deal suggests ESPN values him highly and wants to retain him in a more flexible role. Stephen A Smith.