When Monica McNutt took the slightest shot at Stephen A. Smith on First Take Monday, she was committing what could be viewed as a cardinal sin at ESPN these days. She wasn’t kissing the ring.
But the ring isn’t on the correct finger any longer.
You see, Stephen A. Smith believes he, and he alone, should be credited with the rise of some of ESPN’s up-and-coming stars. By him allowing them a platform on First Take, they increase their profiles with not only viewers, but the head honchos of the Worldwide Leader.
And while all of that may be true, there’s one inconvenient truth that Stephen A. Smith doesn’t realize: He doesn’t make stars. ESPN makes stars.
Quick. Name someone who has advanced past their role on First Take to a bigger role at ESPN.
I’ll wait.
Still waiting.
Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
That person is as mythical as the Loch Ness Monster, the Tooth Fairy, and the Boogeyman all rolled into one.
In more than a decade of appearing on the show, Stephen A. Smith has done an undeniable job of making sure that he remains the focal point. He also ensures he remains interested in arguing with whoever sits across the desk from him. He’s cycled through folks like Skip Bayless, Max Kellerman, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, and a rotating cast of sport-specific analysts now.
So when Stephen A. Smith got on his high-horse and claimed “Ladies and gentlemen, I am the executive producer of First Take. You ever heard of Monica McNutt? You have now – because she’s on First Take a lot … Do you have any idea how offensive it was for me to sit there and hear Monica McNutt say that about me when I’m the one that handpicked our roster on First Take?,” it bothered me.
Because that’s Smith attempting to credit himself with the success of another person. And that’s just something you can’t do. If Monica McNutt wants to credit the First Take czar with her sports media success, more power to her. Who am I to tell her who is and isn’t responsible for her success?
But the same can be said for Smith, too. Who is he to take credit for the work of another? To argue, essentially, that anyone knows who Monica McNutt is because she appears on First Take is outrageous. She’s the lead radio analyst for the New York Knicks, for Pete’s sake!
Not only that, though, but people know who Monica McNutt is because she is on ESPN. And that’s what’s lost on Stephen A. Smith. Because, whether he likes it or not, people know who he is because he’s on ESPN. It’s something that Dan Le Batard used to talk about extensively. He was keenly aware of the power those four letters hold.
It’s the same reason why ESPN Radio works for hundreds of stations throughout America. When you have those letters involved in your brand, you have a credibility that other brands just simply don’t immediately lend. The letters E-S-P-N open doors that aren’t available without them. Working at the Worldwide Leader provides a platform that cannot be matched in sports media. Even in 2024, as the media landscape continues to undulate underneath our feet, ESPN is still the destination. It is the quintessential “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere” in the media world.
And somehow, despite spending decades with the network, Stephen A. Smith still hasn’t figured that out. I understand having a belief in yourself. And his self-esteem, while routinely mocked, should frankly be celebrated. But I can’t fathom that Smith believes he has garnered 5.6 million followers on Twitter, nearly 700,000 subscribers on YouTube, and the name recognition he has strictly by himself. Stephen A. Smith, like Scott Van Pelt, the aforementioned Le Batard, Colin Cowherd, Dan Patrick, Rich Eisen — and I could go on and on and on — have ESPN to thank for their stardom.
The difference is, many of those folks have an understanding and appreciation for that fact. Smith, meanwhile, almost treats it with palpable contempt.
I used to work with a Program Director who would claim radio talents on his “tree”, similar to the way football coaches are often connected. His “tree” included anyone that he previously worked with. And when I told him “Hey, being a sports radio PD doesn’t really allow you to claim the CHR morning show host who moved on to Tampa as some sort of success story for you.” And he couldn’t understand why that would be the case.
Stephen A. Smith has the same attitude. By his Monday diatribe, it’s clear he believes everyone from Skip Bayless to Cari Champion, Charly Arnolt, Will Cain, and anyone in between owes him a debt of gratitude for allowing them to grace his presence on the First Take desk.
For him to act like he is a kingmaker for Monica McNutt — or his later insistence that he’s responsible for the success of ESPN talents like Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike, Kimberley A. Martin — is, in his own words, “highly offensive to me.”
In fact, he comes off as the exact opposite of a kingmaker. Smith taking credit for the success of First Take contributors makes him look like a vulture more than a king-maker.
There’s a complete lack of self-awareness in Smith’s comments. Having the ability to choose who does and doesn’t appear on First Take doesn’t make him the end-all-be-all of sports media futures. Is the platform a good one? Absolutely. But it isn’t the only platform at ESPN.
And that’s what’s lost on Stephen A. Smith. He isn’t a star today solely because of his work ethic, his business acumen, or his ability to create compelling TV and radio/podcasts.
Millions upon millions, despite what many would like you believe, still pay attention to ESPN every single day. And with that audience comes an expanded reach. Stephen A. Smith — like Monica McNutt, like virtually everyone listed so far in this story — has ESPN to thank for their name recognition. It’s a lesson many have learned the hard way when they’ve moved on to what could be viewed as not-so-greener pastures.
I just hope Stephen A. Smith — who has made no bones about the aspirations for his next contract — doesn’t find out that lesson the hard way.
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.
