WFAN morning host Gregg Giannotti doesn’t believe in ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith winning any substantial in a potential presidential run, telling listeners on Boomer & Gio that the idea itself carries virtually no path to political reality and may say more about media leverage than electoral ambition.
Addressing Smith’s repeated references to possibly running for president of the United States, Giannotti acknowledged that modern politics has produced surprises but dismissed the notion that Smith could mount a viable campaign.
“I’m not naive to think that something insane could happen,” Giannotti said. “But I also think there’s zero chance that Stephen A. Smith could win enough of the vote to win a primary or anything to be able to put him in the race.”
Giannotti argued that capturing a major party nomination requires more than national name recognition, particularly in a primary system built on fundraising networks, grassroots organization and sustained political relationships. While Smith commands a massive platform through ESPN’s First Take and other properties, Giannotti suggested that visibility alone would not translate into primary votes.
“I think this is a bit of a bridge too far. Probably shows you how much power he has over there at ESPN,” said Giannotti. “Clearly, he does what he wants. He gets paid the most amount of money, and he chooses who he wants to work with, and things like that.”
Beyond electoral math, Giannotti questioned Smith’s motivation for continuing to entertain the possibility publicly.
“He says he’s not going to do it, but he keeps talking about doing it,” Giannotti said. “I think the reason why is he wants to see what the reaction is.” Giannotti added that Smith likely believes he occupies a political middle ground capable of appealing broadly to Americans, and that testing the waters publicly offers a way to gauge whether that belief resonates.
Smith has discussed the idea of running for office on multiple occasions, often framing the commentary as a response to frustration with the current political climate. However, he has stopped short of any formal declaration and continues to focus primarily on his media responsibilities.
In Giannotti’s view, the willingness to publicly float a presidential bid while remaining one of the network’s most prominent faces reflects significant internal influence.
“He feels like he’s got so much power and influence that he could possibly run for president,” Giannotti added. “It just shows you how much of a big wig he is over there at ESPN.”
Smith has not publicly stated his intents to run or not to run as of yet. Smith told CBS Sunday Morning he is taking 2026 to weigh his options for a potential run in 2027.
For Giannotti, though, the conversation remains rooted less in ballot access and more in brand positioning, with Smith’s presidential musings serving as a reminder of the outsized presence he holds in the modern sports media landscape.
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