Stephen A. Smith is returning to SiriusXM — and he’s not just a voice behind the mic this time. Speaking on the Gil’s Arena podcast, the ESPN personality explained that his new deal with the satellite radio company goes beyond the traditional host arrangement.
Smith called it a “partnership” designed to give him a stake in the profits, not just a paycheck.
“My deal with SiriusXM isn’t just for me to be a host, it’s for me to be a partner,” Smith said. “It’s one thing to just get the dollars and it’s another thing to share in the profits.”
Smith noted that the daily program will air live from 1–3 p.m. ET on Mad Dog Sports Radio, leading directly into Chris “Mad Dog” Russo’s 3–6 p.m. show, with replays from 6–8 p.m. Smith said that arrangement gives him the flexibility to respond to anything that happens later in the day — or even on Russo’s program — by hopping back on the air.
“If there’s something that went on between three and six that I didn’t get an opportunity to address, I can simply go back on the air and address it again,” he explained. “I like being a bit conspicuous…where you can try to get around me, but you really can’t.”
For Smith, the return to radio means embracing the immediacy and interaction that comes with live calls and real-time conversation. He noted that unlike pre-recorded or episodic content, daily radio offers an opportunity to react to news as it happens and remain “topical and relevant” without worrying about material staying fresh for multiple days.
“The hard part is taping stuff that has to live for a few days in terms of relevance,” Smith said. “I don’t have to worry about that with a daily show because something’s happening every day.”
While SiriusXM will be a key platform, Smith made clear the deal was structured to protect his other ventures. He retained full control of his YouTube channel and his ongoing work with ESPN, which he called non-negotiable conditions of the agreement.
“Radio is a really big deal from the standpoint of being able to communicate with listeners and callers. Volleying back and forth and having that presence, but not at the expense of my YouTube channel,” Smith said. “I wasn’t going to do that. Not at the expense of ESPN. I didn’t do that =. So right now, I feel like I’ve got it all.”
After decades in sports media, Smith said he still embraces the grind, viewing his versatility and work ethic as critical to his long-term success. Smith will return to the SiriusXM airwaves on Mad Dog Radio hosting his daily sports program on September 2. He will also host a weekly current events, pop culture, and social commentary-focused show that will debut on SiriusXM the same week.
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Oversaturation with this latest move comes to mind. Way too much money too, it always corrupts. I thought when he said, its not just a paycheck, he was going to say something about others sharing in the Profits, instead its about HIM sharing in the Profits… He seems bought and paid for at times. And his choice of friends/partners really leaves doubt about his true Character. Diddy? You kidding bro? Of course he never did a Freak off..Shannon Sharpe, another gotta be kidding? Of course you don’t know a thing about his sexual abusing past…Couple others too-the thing about Smith is once the heats on he runs fast from it and never talks of it again—see Sharpe and Diddy examples. Moneys way too large now for one man. Oh, and forget thoughts of a Presidential run, hasn’t the chops for what it really takes and is getting liked less by the masses with each passing day. ESPN is now OWNED by the NFL, its all fluff and ignoring the real issues. See Jason Whitlocks take on it for the real truth. Lays it own in language we can all understand. Yeah I know he hates Smith, but its not about him its about his employer and the NFL “ownership” of them.