ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith is inaugural recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s (BFOA) “Broadcast Personality of the Year Award.” The honor takes place at the BFOA Gala, a high-profile fundraising event, on Monday, March 9, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
With a career spanning television, radio, journalism, and political commentary, Smith has emerged as one of broadcasting’s most recognizable and influential voices.
“Introducing the Broadcast Personality of the Year Award is a milestone for the Foundation. There is no one better to be our first honoree than Stephen,” said Tim McCarthy, BFOA president. “Few personalities in broadcasting combine authenticity with the level of work ethic Stephen brings to every platform. His candid delivery commands attention. I know firsthand that his commitment is unmatched.”
Smith, a native of Hollis, Queens, began his media career as a high school reporter for the New York Daily News. He later transitioned to radio, hosting shows on 1050 ESPN in New York City. He also hosted national programs on ESPN Radio and the Fox Radio Network. His career eventually expanded into television, including his role as the featured commentator and executive producer on ESPN’s First Take.
In recent years, Smith has broadened his reach beyond sports. He hosts Straight Shooter, a live political and current events show on Sirius XM, highlighting his ability to navigate discussions on social issues with the same intensity that defines his sports commentary.
“I am honored to receive this recognition from Tim and the Broadcasters Foundation,” Smith said. “The Foundation provides unique and essential support to colleagues in our industry facing the most challenging circumstances. I am thrilled to be part of this gala, which benefits so many in need.”
Smith’s accomplishments also extend into publishing and acting. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes and has appeared on ABC’s long-running soap opera General Hospital. Before broadcasting, he served as a general sports columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The BFOA Gala will also honor media executive Mark Lazarus with the Golden Mic Award. Lazarus is CEO of VERSANT and former chair of NBCUniversal Media Group. Judge Judy Sheindlin will receive the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her decades-long impact on television and broadcasting.
The BFOA provides critical financial assistance to broadcasters facing illness, disaster, or other life-altering hardships, and its annual gala has become a key source of support for the industry.
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