When news broke that ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith would be making his return to SiriusXM radio this coming September, the announcement was especially hard for current SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio hosts Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker. The duo took to the airwaves just hours after the news was made public, expressing their frustration with the situation and how it was handled by their employer. Beadle explained, “All I ask is to be treated with respect.”
Subsequently, following the wave of reaction that came in after Beadle’s ire, Stephen A. Smith called into VSiNLive on Mad Dog Sports Radio with Patrick Meagher and Dustin Swedelson in an attempt to clear his name regarding how the announcement of his return was managed.
“I had no idea that folks did not know (about the announcement). I was told by SiriusXM to wait till this morning on The Howard Stern Show to make the announcement,” said Smith. “Whatever communication they (SiriusXM) had with anybody who’s there, where they’re staying, where they’re being moved to. Who’s staying or going or whatever. It’s none of my business.”
Furthermore, Smith stated that he would never be inconsiderate or unprofessional toward a contemporary or colleague. He emphasized that he would have ensured all involved parties were made aware of the news of his arrival. He added that anyone in his position entering the company would naturally assume that management had already informed all necessary parties ahead of time regarding the incoming announcement.
“Whatever management and the bosses at SiriusXM have decided to do is their business. That has nothing to do with me,” noted Smith. “Anybody that’s in this business, when a new opportunity arrives and it’s a big enough deal where folks want to make an announcement, they instruct you where and when they would like you to do it.”
Meanwhile, Beadle spoke with Front Office Sports late Wednesday night, speaking out about how the announcement was made and reiterating her personal distaste for Stephen A. Smith, which stems from their time working together at ESPN.
Despite the controversy, Smith exclaimed that he is excited to be returning to SiriusXM and looks forward to working alongside his teammates at the company.
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