Stephen A. Smith, American TV Personality and Commentator of First Take, is the undisputed king of ESPN and the gold standard of sports media. The larger-than-life personality has dominated the sports world for years, setting the bar with his unfiltered takes, commanding presence, and relentless work ethic. Recently, reports surfaced claiming his ongoing contract negotiations could be worth over $120 million, a number that immediately sent social media into a riot. Stephen A. was quick to shut down those figures—but what he didn’t deny was his ambition to become ESPN’s highest-paid talent once again. And why wouldn’t he? With First Take pulling in over 450,000 daily viewers and 5 million followers across all social media platforms, Stephen A.’s value in sports media is undeniable.
But money isn’t the only thing on his mind. After calling into Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo’s daily show on SiriusXM, Stephen A. clarified that his career aspirations extend far beyond just sports. “There are a lot of other things that I want to do, and I want the freedom to do it,” he stated. “We live in a different world, and being able to diversify your portfolio and do things outside of that one job that you may have is incredibly important to me.” His athlete-sized, megastar contract grants him the flexibility to pursue projects beyond sports—a liberty he has actively embraced.
Stephen A. has always attempted to use his platform to dive into political, social, and economic issues, stemming back to his time as a columnist with the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he was initially let go but later reinstated by an arbitrary ruling, provided he removed all political views from his digital platforms. Now, due to his credibility in sports media, this is something Stephen A. doesn’t have to worry about. His appearances on conservative platforms like The Sean Hannity Show and The Mark Levin Show further indicate his desire to break through the political media landscape. During an interview on Sports Seriously of USA Today Sports, Stephen A. stated “If somebody came to me and said ‘The American people want you to run for office and you got a legitimate shot at winning the presidency of the United States,’ I would give it strong consideration. I would not back up from it.”
Several media outlets have dubbed Stephen A. a potential presidential candidate, not because of his policy expertise or political background but because of his commanding presence and ability to argue effectively. His rhetorical dominance makes him an intriguing figure in an era where political debates are often reduced to soundbites and viral moments. Media networks value someone who can debate aggressively, command headlines, and persuade the masses while maintaining a larger-than-life personality.
The political and legacy media landscape is in an awkward, transitional phase, largely due to Donald Trump’s return to office. With Trump’s resurgence in popularity and the rise of misinformation and fake news, major political networks struggle to balance coverage, legitimacy, and audience trust. Media outlets constantly grapple with accusations of bias, sensationalism, and the difficulty of fact-checking in a hyperpolarized climate. Social media further amplifies misleading narratives, making it harder for audiences to separate fact from agenda-driven content. Stephen A. himself has openly told his viewers that the Democratic Party has consistently failed African Americans and cannot be trusted, further feeding into the skepticism many Americans already hold toward traditional news sources. Stephen A.’s control over discourse is unmatched, and in today’s polarized media landscape, this is his ideal moment to step in.
Stephen A.’s ability to align with prevailing narratives, shift perspectives when necessary, and maintain credibility makes him an ideal political media darling. Stephen A. understands how to shape discourse to keep him in the spotlight without stepping on too many toes. A perfect example of this balance was his public stance on at-the-time Brooklyn Net Kyrie Irving and his vaccine refusal. While he strongly criticized Irving’s decision, calling it “selfish” and “a distraction” to the Brooklyn Nets, he also framed his argument to acknowledge Irving’s right to make personal choices. Political media thrives on figures who can toe the line between controversy and charisma, and Stephen A. fits the mold perfectly.
Despite repeatedly stating that if he were to run for President, he would do so as a Democrat, Stephen A. has shown a willingness to flirt with right-wing media narratives. For a high-profile Black media figure, aligning with right-wing media, especially at a time when conservative narratives are under intense scrutiny, serves as a calculated move. It’s no secret that agreeing with right-wing viewpoints, even mildly, can skyrocket engagement and create viral moments. His YouTube titles alone—like “Am I, Stephen A. Smith, Becoming a Republican?”—reveal his willingness to exploit political narratives for engagement and influence.
Another perspective suggests that he could help the Democratic Party reclaim the Black male vote, which saw a decline in support with Kamala Harris as the vice-presidential candidate. Harris’s alleged lack of advocacy for Black men, coupled with a viral video of Barack Obama trying to convince young Black men to vote for her, signaled a loss of trust in Harris. Stephen A., one of the highest-profile Black media figures with strong influence over sports culture, entertainment, and social issues, is viewed as someone who could close the divide.
By venturing into politics, Stephen A. can reach a broader audience and unlock even greater financial gains. Trump reportedly planned to launch his own television network if he had lost the 2016 election, seeing an opportunity to leverage his political influence into a media empire. While that plan never materialized due to his unexpected victory, its strategy remains relevant—turning political engagement into a bigger platform for personal and financial gain. Stephen A. Smith could be following a similar path. The more his brand expands beyond sports, the greater the financial opportunities become, whether through television, digital platforms, or exclusive media deals.
Although Stephen A. may never officially run for office, his influence in political discourse will only grow. He thrives in the spotlight, and politics is just another stage. As long as influence can be built through debate, Stephen A. Smith will ensure his voice is at the center of the conversation.
Be First to Comment