I know how absolutely preposterous it is to ask about the unselfishness of Stephen A. Smith. But recent developments have me kicking around the question of just how influential he is to ESPN.
Smith has been the face of ESPN — whether you like it or not — for the better part of a decade. I don’t think it is unfair to argue that we’ve seen Smith be selfish in his tenure. He has discussed how he believes he is underpaid, he — if reports are true — sealed the fate of Max Kellerman as his First Take co-host, and has welcomed Shannon Sharpe to join the show, as long as he’s willing to agree to Smith’s terms, and his only.
I’m not arguing whether or not he’s earned the ability to be selfish — he has, frankly — but it’s inarguable that when you think of Smith, the words “prima donna”, “arrogant”, and “selfish” rise to the top.
And he’s earned that! But…is he also a big help to up-and-coming talent at ESPN?
A pair of First Take panelists have mentioned in recent weeks what Stephen A. Smith has taught them about appearing on the program. First, Domonique Foxworth shared that Smith instilled in him the mindset that it’s not “me vs you, it’s us vs the audience”.
“When you do First Take with Stephen A, you learn that he understands that we are on the same team,” Foxworth said while appearing on The Right Time with Bomani Jones.
Additionally, Dan Orlovsky shared that Smith told him “‘This is an entertainment business. Your goal is not to be right all the time.’ Once he said that to me, it completely changed my mindset going into what that show was going to be,” during an appearance on Rise and Schein with Adam Schein.
Now wait just a damn minute. You mean to tell me that Stephen A. Smith — widely regarded as an egomaniac — is out here teaching up-and-coming talent? Well, that doesn’t necessarily fit the narrative now, does it?
Not only have Orlovsky and Foxworth shared that Smith has taken them under his wing when it comes to First Take, it’s abundantly clear that either J.J. Redick and Kendrick Perkins have had similar teachings from Smith, or they’re just really good at creating the TV he wants them to.
Stephen A. Smith has been instrumental in raising the profile of Orlovsky, Foxworth, Redick, and Perkins.
Now, this might not be popular for some of the older people in the industry, but he’s also resurrected the career of Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on the national level. I’m 33 years old and from the Midwest. I certainly didn’t have an appreciation for who he was. Before really diving into the media world, Russo — to me — was the guy who yelled a lot on MLB Network. But, to people my age and younger, Russo’s appearances on First Take have been invaluable in introducing him to a new audience.
You could argue — and you might be right — that Smith’s motives are still ultimately selfish in nature. If Dan Orlovosky, J.J. Redick, Domonique Foxworth, Chris Russo, and Kendrick Perkins are better at debating him, that’s better for First Take, which is better for him.
But there’s still something to be said for sharing the tales of the trade. And Smith’s willingness to help those around him deserves praise, rather than the intense scrutiny he’s usually under.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing bi-weekly industry features and a weekly column. He has previously served as Program Director and Afternoon Co-Host on 93.1 The Fan in Lima, OH, and is the radio play-by-play voice of Northern Michigan University hockey. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
