Stephen A. Smith forcefully pushed back against former ESPN personality Keith Olbermann on Friday after Olbermann publicly called for ESPN to fire the longtime First Take star over his commentary on a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota.
He addressed the criticism during an episode of his Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith YouTube show, delivering an unfiltered response that escalated an already tense media dispute. Olbermann had argued on social media that Smith’s comments regarding the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good were harmful to ESPN’s brand and should result in disciplinary action.
Instead of backing down, Smith turned his attention directly toward Olbermann, accusing the former SportsCenter anchor of hypocrisy and professional bitterness.
“Literally trying to get me fired,” Smith said. “It’s time for ESPN to fire Stephen A. — he’s hurting the brand. He’s damaging the brand. Coming from you?”
Smith continued by questioning Olbermann’s credibility within the media industry, suggesting that his longtime adversarial approach had cost him professional relationships and standing. Smith accused Olbermann of “napalming bridges” throughout his career, including during his time at ESPN, and said the criticism reflected personal resentment rather than principled disagreement.
“Who looks more like a cartoon character than you? Keith Olbermann, you can’t run five feet with your fat self,” explained Smith.
The exchange stems from Smith’s earlier remarks on his podcast in which he stated that, from a legal perspective, the ICE officer involved in the Minnesota shooting appeared justified. While Smith acknowledged the tragedy of the situation and raised questions about whether lethal force was necessary, the comments drew swift backlash online.
Olbermann, a frequent critic of ESPN and its talent, responded by urging the network to sever ties with Smith, claiming he was now doing reputational harm beyond his on-air persona. Olbermann wrote that he was speaking on behalf of individuals who “built the place,” a reference to ESPN’s earlier era.
Smith, however, dismissed the criticism as performative outrage and said he was finished tolerating Olbermann’s public attacks.
“I’m sick of your pathetic ass,” Smith said during the episode. “I really, really am. You’re a 66-year-old — barely with any friends. Who the hell knows what’s going on in your life?”
The dispute places ESPN in the middle of a highly public feud involving two of the most recognizable — and polarizing — figures in media. Smith is less than a year into a five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN, signed in March 2025. He also hosts programming for SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio and produces politically focused content outside of ESPN.
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And if someone knows “performative outrage,” it’s Screamin’ A.