Should ESPN move on from Stephen A. Smith?

[Trojan 24]

Yeah, I can't see him being let go considering his man pretty much runs First Take. But I do wonder if SAS has lost some negotiating power as his act has gotten stale with a lot of people over the last year.

Also, w/ Lebron retiring soon I wonder how that will affect the decisions these networks make about talent who built their image around Lebron takes.

I hope there's a great Purge of those fakkits. Ironically Windy came up on Bron's nut from Day 1 but he's the only one to actually branch out at some point

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

Naw breh. SAS is at a point where he is more mainstream than any other person on a sports/sports adjacent network period. I don’t like most of what he says but I respect the hustle of how he got there. ESPN isn’t moving on from him at any point. He’s automatic high ratings.

You sure about that? His schtick just doesn’t work outside of the sports world compared to someone like McAfee.

It’s a reason why he jumps from wave to wave trying to gain traction.

 

[GilSho]

Stephen A's shtick has clearly gotten old. His numbers on YouTube for example despite his overexposure are actually putrid. His popularity is definitely a mirage

Shannon and McAfee are way bigger than him.

He gets no traction in anything outside of ESPN.

 

[MJ Truth]

ESPN Extension Sets Up Sharpe As Stephen A's Successor

If Smith goes into politics or can't reach a deal with ESPN, Sharpe could replace him as the face of the network.

frontofficesports.com

Contract expires next year, but does ESPN even need him at this point?

- First Take is a well-oiled machine that will still be #1 in their timeslot regardless

- Shannon Sharpe isn't what he used to be on Undisputed because it might not be doable with SAS in there

- The show has decent to good guest panelists each week either way, and SAS is remote more than 50% of the time

- ESPN would save $12M+ a year in talent salary by not paying him

- He has a controversial take that he spews out confidently at first and then twists it or backs down from it the next day

- He decreases the quality of their NBA studio coverage, leaves before games end and the NBA criticism is growing more and more

- He's hardly an insider (makes claims that aren't substantiated all the time), isn't a journalist (despite what he says about his Philly Inquirer days 20+ years ago) and doesn't bring value to any other programming

- That "embrace debate' shyt is played and we're already seeing Skip Bayless fade out (thankfully)

ESPN needs to make an adjustment in their coverage overall, they need to promote new blood and the other good talent they have in-house and deciding to let SAS walk could be a good start to a new era, especially with all the new rights fees and ventures they're getting into.

 

[MJ Truth]

As a general rule, as a business owner or manager, you don’t get rid of employees like Stephen A. until/unless they’re just making insane money. We can hate on him all we want, but as a WORKER, you have someone who is always willing to go above and beyond, work late, work early, show up whenever you need him, completely self motivated. These type of people are rare, even amongst people who are already rate. SAS is essentially the sports journalism equivalent of a Kobe Bryant in terms of work ethic.

 

[Belize King]

should the nuggets move on from jokic?

Should the 9’ers move on from Brock Purdy?

 

[The_Sheff]

Stephen A's shtick has clearly gotten old. His numbers on YouTube for example despite his overexposure are actually putrid. His popularity is definitely a mirage

Shannon and McAfee are way bigger than him.

He gets no traction in anything outside of ESPN.

Define bigger.

You think YouTube views are a good barometer of who can draw TV ratings?

 

[Ethnic Vagina Finder]

Stephen A's shtick has clearly gotten old. His numbers on YouTube for example despite his overexposure are actually putrid. His popularity is definitely a mirage

Shannon and McAfee are way bigger than him.

He gets no traction in anything outside of ESPN.

Shannon and McAfee understood the importance of social media and built a following/brand through that vehicle.

Steven A tried to get into that space too late, and he's been trying to play catch up ever since.

He also doesn't resonate with younger demographics.

 

[Stick Up Kid]

It does feel like his act is played out and everyone is turning on him.

 

[inndaskKy]

should the nuggets move on from jokic?

Should the 9’ers move on from Brock Purdy?

Should The Coliseum move on from @CHICAGO ?

 

[FAH1223]

As a general rule, as a business owner or manager, you don’t get rid of employees like Stephen A. until/unless they’re just making insane money. We can hate on him all we want, but as a WORKER, you have someone who is always willing to go above and beyond, work late, work early, show up whenever you need him, completely self motivated. These type of people are rare, even amongst people who are already rate. SAS is essentially the sports journalism equivalent of a Kobe Bryant in terms of work ethic.

He walking into the Finals like he’s Kobe

 

[Supa]

He's a clown and been running with sane tired gimmick since forever.
Eventually the audience would get tired of it.

Numbers say the opposite. First Take's ratings have been increasing every year.

I get it, we all have issues with SAS but he's a cash cow. He's not going anywhere unless someone takes his spot.

It would have large repercussions in how sports are covered as a whole. Positively. He is the WORST for sports coverage. I would love for him to be gone, but it’s not happening

Skip Bayless is the worst.

 

[UpAndComing]

Bring back Max Kellerman.

Max Kellerman is absolutely terrible outside of Boxing commentary

 

[dfresh]

- He's hardly an insider (makes claims that aren't substantiated all the time), isn't a journalist (despite what he says about his Philly Inquirer days 20+ years ago) and doesn't bring value to any other programming

 

[UpAndComing]

The Coli doesn't live in reality lol