Stephen A. Smith is once again confronting critics who have called for professional consequences following his commentary about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance. This time using his SiriusXM platform to draw a sharp distinction between his independently owned content and his role at ESPN.
During Tuesday’s episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show on SiriusXM, Smith addressed the growing online backlash tied to his remark that it “would have been nice” if some of Bad Bunny’s halftime songs had been performed in English. While the comment sparked heated reaction across social media, Smith argued that opponents have intentionally mischaracterized his position in an effort to jeopardize his standing at ESPN.
“Because I said that, they got me all over the place with pictures pairing me with right-wingers talking about ‘I was against Bad Bunny,’” Smith said. “I was not against Bad Bunny… I honor my contracts. I’m not going away. I say stuff on my political channel or my YouTube channel. Why are folks calling ESPN? I didn’t say it on their airwaves.”
Smith emphasized that the commentary in question did not occur on ESPN programming, noting that he owns both his SiriusXM shows and his YouTube channel. According to Smith, critics deliberately invoke his ESPN affiliation to create pressure where none contractually exists.
“They [ESPN] have nothing to do with what I’m saying. I own this show. I own both my shows, and I own my own YouTube channel,” he said. “Why you constantly bringing up my day job? ‘Stephen A. of ESPN.’ Because you want to get me canceled. Why don’t you bring up about me on SiriusXM? Because you know there’s no way in hell Scott Greenstein or SiriusXM is going to cancel me.”
The controversy stems from broader cultural conversations surrounding representation and language on one of the largest entertainment stages in American television. Bad Bunny’s halftime show drew praise for celebrating Latin music and global influence, while also prompting debate among viewers who questioned whether the NFL’s championship game carries different audience expectations.
For Smith, however, the issue extends beyond the performance itself and into what he views as a troubling media climate.
“We live in a society where people are sitting up there looking at it, and it’s like, ‘Yo, if you disagree with somebody, that’s a reason to go scorched earth on them,’ as if they committed a crime,” Smith said. “That’s what these soft-ass, irrelevant, nonproductive people try to do.”
He concluded his remarks with a defiant tone, making clear that criticism will not alter his approach. As one of sports media’s most visible personalities, Smith continues to operate across multiple platforms, each with distinct ownership structures and editorial control.
“It’s not appropriate to say on SiriusXM, I’m gonna say it anyway, they [critics] can kiss my ass,” said Smith.
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