Stephen A. Smith is no stranger to the sports-media spotlight, and the longtime analyst made headlines again Tuesday with news that ESPN’s premier professional basketball program, NBA Countdown, will not feature his commentary this season — for the first time since he joined the show in 2003.
Sports fans quickly speculated whether Smith had been removed from the show, and while ESPN has not issued a formal statement regarding his absence, the veteran analyst addressed the matter himself.
“Apparently it’s breaking news or something like that –Stephen A. Smith is not on NBA Countdown,” he said while speaking on his SiriusXM show.
“I negotiated a new deal with ESPN –a five-year deal –between June of 2024 and March into April of 2025. I didn’t want to be on the show. I negotiated coming off it.
“I love doing NBA Countdown. But once the countdown show is over, I got other things to do than be in studio watching a doubleheader and coming on at halftime,” he went on.
It seems Smith is instead opting to focus his attention on another ESPN program, First Take, which has long been closely associated with his media persona.
“I have other stuff that I want to do – to prepare for First Take the next morning and to do an abundance of other things that I aspire to do. Of course, I’m still there to contribute," he said.
It’s also been confirmed that while Smith won’t be a regular presence on the show, he will make several cameo appearances throughout the season, giving the presenter plenty of opportunities to share his takes on basketball.
Without Smith, NBA Countdown’s core lineup will feature Malika Andrews, returning as host for a third season, alongside analysts Brian Windhorst, 2023 NBA Champion coach Michael Malone, and 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins. Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania will also continue making regular contributions.
The new-look quintet is set to make their debut on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. EST.
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