Stephen A. Smith Slams Critics After Colleague Calls Him a ‘Show’ and Dismisses Journalist Label

Over the past few years, Stephen A. Smith has distinguished himself as the de facto loudest mouth in sports media. It also helped that many other debate specialists were either no longer relevant or had taken up jobs outside of mainstream media.

Max Kellerman, his last permanent debate partner, has since created a podcast with LeBron James‘ agent, Rich Paul. Skip Bayless, the man who made sports debate shows famous alongside Smith, now works with Gilbert Arenas.

The only other big name in the sports business world who can rival the 58-year-old is Pat McAfee. However, the former Indianapolis Colts punter is not a journalist and does not claim to be.

McAfee makes sure to bring in people who can speak directly about their experiences rather than divulge third-party and unverified information. The way he conducts his show is why he is about to get a $60 million salary.

Stephen A. Smith, though, is a former journalist. But he does not do anything that journalists do when he appears on First Take, his namesake podcast, or any other platform. That is why many, such as Jaylen Brown, have called him out for not having first-hand information.

Responsibilities change, but the nature of who you are isn’t… I don’t just come on the air and bloviate out the mouth. I make phone calls. I have resources. People educate me about what’s going on all the damn time. I’m just not in somebody’s face immediately upon talking about them because I don’t have the means to be able to do that.

Stephen A. Smith said

I’m Here to Remind You Who the Hell I Am! pic.twitter.com/gTursogL0K

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 5, 2026

This was the Queens native making it clear that even though he may not be inside locker rooms anymore, that does not mean he does not lean into his sources before going on air.

Michael Wilbon labeled Stephen A. Smith a ‘show’

The reason Stephen A. Smith went on his namesake podcast to remind his critics about his credentials is that Michael Wilbon appeared on Awful Announcing’s podcast to say this about his ESPN colleague:

Stop, you’re not a journalist anymore. You’re not doing what you did at the Philly Inquirer. Stop, dude. I know what you did there because I was shoulder to shoulder with you at press row and in press boxes and at practice… Stephen A. is a show. He knows it.

Michael Wilbon said

The longtime analyst is a dear friend of Smith, which is why he was basically trolling him. However, Wilbon’s words quickly caught fire, as fans pointed out that the ESPN executive producer‘s close friend was speaking the truth.

Over the past few years, using information from parody social media accounts and making unsubstantiated claims have blighted Stephen A. Smith’s reputation as a journalist.

On top of that, his playing Solitaire while he was supposed to be analyzing the game he was attending ended up backfiring. Even though he gave an excuse of him playing during a timeout, Kevin Durant could not help but mock Smith, since the video shows fellow ESPN colleague Malika Andrews actively watching the game.

Stephen A. Smith decided to respond because he has been facing backlash

There was no need for Stephen A. Smith to respond to Michael Wilbon. As he has mentioned countless times, the First Take host admires his colleague and mentor; therefore, Wilbon has the right to say anything he wants.

That means that the only reason he chose to respond or clarify his position in the media is because of all the backlash he has been facing over the past few years.

Ever since LeBron James confronted him, Smith lost a lot of credibility. Then, when he brought up sensitive points to counter the now-former Los Angeles Lakers superstar, his own fans turned on him.

Since then, he has tried to fix his image, and for a brief moment, his political aspirations may have made him popular. But sports fans have time and again called Stephen A. Smith out for creating clickbait narratives.

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