ESPN Pardon the Interruption co-host Michael Wilbon says Stephen A. Smith stopped being a journalist years ago. Wilbon delivered the blunt assessment in a new interview with Awful Announcing‘s Brandon Contes.
What We Know: Wilbon spent decades as a columnist at The Washington Post before ESPN turned him into a Pardon the Interruption fixture alongside Tony Kornheiser. Smith similarly built his name as a Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer before ESPN reshaped him into a debate-show star. Wilbon still calls Smith “like a little brother,” insisting the friendship isn’t the issue. However, he argues Smith’s current role has drifted far from that early reporting foundation.
What They Said: (all quotes via Awful Announcing)
Michael Wilbon believes Stephen A. Smith is not a journalist any longer: “Stop. You’re not a journalist anymore. You’re not doing what you did at the Philly Inquirer. Stop, dude. I know what you did there because I was shoulder to shoulder with you at press row and press boxes and practice. Yes, practice. Stop. No, Stephen A. [Smith]’s a show. He’s the show. He knows it. He wants to be the show, and he’s doing a damn good job at it. That’s what he wants to be.”
Michael Wilbon says journalism is more about showing up following criticism: “Stephen A is like a little brother to me, and he’s been there for 30 years. [You’re] Not a journalist anymore. You gotta go to practice. You gotta show up when you write that column that’s negative about the first baseman. Your ass better be at the cage the next day, that’s journalism.”
Michael Wilbon says he’s not a journalist either: “I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m a journalist. I ain’t going to allow him if he was sitting with me to say, “Oh yeah, Wilbon, I’m a journalist.” No, you’re not. Not anymore. You may go to elements of it when you need to. You can recall it. But stop. They ain’t paying you that much to be a journalist. They’re not.”
What Remains Unclear: It’s unclear whether Smith will respond publicly to Wilbon’s remarks. Wilbon’s response is to the numerous times that Smith has said he still considers himself a journalist.
What It Means: Make no mistake about it. Michael Wilbon and Stephen A. Smith are not just colleagues but also friends with roots that extend many decades. Wilbon’s commentary is simply calling it like he sees it. Whether or not the commentary turns into further debate relies on Smith leaning into his “show” character or not.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.