Stephen A. Smith will be gone completely from ESPN at the end of the NBA playoffs.
(S.A.S. enjoying being inside the ropes while he can)
THE BIG LEAD has the scoop:
Within the last month, a source says that ESPN and (Stephen A.) Smith went to the negotiating table and couldn’t reach an agreement. Apparently, ESPN’s offer was considerably lower than Smith’s previous contracts - which were multi-media faceted - and Smith passed. He was then offered the decision to work through the remainder of his contract, or walk away and still get paid, and a source says Smith decided to work.
99.9% of you probably had the same initial reax as me: Good riddance!
But after thinking about it, I was a little sad.
I guess it was inevitable the Smith was gone after the depature of the man who championed him, Mark Shapiro. Shapiro ran ESPN for a time before being hired by Redskins and Six Flags Owner Dan Snyder to run Snyder’s theme park business.
Six Flags has since run aground, much like Smith’s media career.
First, Smith was unceremoniously demoted at the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. He next quit the paper, banking instead on his ESPN career.
But once Shapiro left ESPN, Smith had lost his only major Bristol ally. After his Quite Frankly TV show tanked, and his ESPN radio show sagged in the ratings, ESPN banished S.A.S. to its NBA analysis desk. And even there Smith has been a dim bulb for Bristol, getting mocked by colleague Tim Legler and botching a breaking story on Chris Bosh.
So it was really no surprise that ESPN fired him couldn’t agree on a contract extension.
So, why will I miss Smith? Who doesn’t yearn for an on-air trainwreck occasionally? His overblown, substance-lacking style is the same reason I’m oddly drawn to late night informercials.
I’m being serious.
How else am I supposed to amuse myself watching ESPN when Scott Van Pelt and Doug Gottlieb and Brian Kenny aren’t on?
I can understand why ESPN let Smith go, as he was putrid on the air all along, but much like Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, he lended an unintentional comedic element to the programming that I think was harmless and fun.
With the Smith oustier, it really is starting to appear like ESPN doesn’t want any air talent to have a discernible personality. And the irony is, THAT’S WHAT MADE IT SO POPULAR IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Remember Keith Olbermann and Dan Patrick? Stu Scott and Rich Eisen? Craig Kilborn? Kenny Mayne? I’m sorry, but that was the golden age of SportsCenter and ESPN. Now the SC desk often resembles a CPAC cocktail party - with Hannah Storm a cigarette girl.
I heard from a source recently that ESPN is hiring for its afternoon radio show at KSPN-AM in Los Angeles. The source told me that there was a local L.A. host that Bristol wanted to hire. The guy, who is the buttoned-down type, is very popular in L.A. and met several times with ESPN execs. But when he wouldn’t kowtow to Bristol’s every demand, the ESPN suits balked.
In other words, no matter how talented you are, if you bring an ego to the table, don’t bother with a gig with ESPN.
In the entertainment business, you can’t operate that way. But if you’re a monopoly in the media biz, you can. Newspapers proved that for a century. Because many markets had only one or two papers, they could print anything and people would buy it. ESPN is in the same situation now. In its defense, it doesn’t benefit anymore from taking chances.
And that’s why I don’t watch much these days.
I fear now for Smith’s future. Patrick was able to land on his feet with a plush radio gig that was backstopped by a free money deal with SI.com.
But Smith? Uh, I don’t think so.
I hope he has Billy Mays # on his Blackberry!
UPDATE: DEADSPIN commenter Quake ‘n’ Shake has a stellar idea for a S.A.S. soft landing:
I think he should do a sitcom. A “reverse” Three’s Company of sorts. Stephen A., Scoop Jackson and Jamelle Hill live in an apartment. Jason Whitlock would be their snoopy landlord. I’m still working on who should play Whitlock’s oversexed wife.
8:28 pm on April 16th, 2009
We may pitch a shutout on that poll.
9:28 pm on April 16th, 2009
mmm cheese puffs
10:20 pm on April 16th, 2009
Brooks maybe you should put out a poll about… Should I post more SbB Girls Pictues?
Yes ———————10000 votes
No ———————2 votes
11:30 pm on April 16th, 2009
SAS shouldn't be compared to classics like Kilborn, Patrick and Mayne. That weren't angry personalities like SAS. That was the most revolting thing about him.
11:31 pm on April 16th, 2009
sorry…meant "they" weren't angry….
11:32 pm on April 16th, 2009
there must truly be something good and right in this world!!!! Now if we can stop these proposed reality shows w/ Vick and Octo-Mom.
12:19 am on April 17th, 2009
Not everyone hates SAS. I get a kick outta him. He'll be missed.
12:26 am on April 17th, 2009
"In the entertainment business, you can’t operate that way. But if you’re a monopoly in the media biz, you can."
You know, since Fox News is now raking in major profits for News Corp (and with primetime ratings on some nights that are more than CNN, MSNBC, and Headline News put together, it's hard not to rake in profits), it wouldn't be a bad time for Rupert to take another bite at the apple again and resurrect the National Sports Report. He can do this either through his FSN properties or in conjunction with Comcast's Versus. And hiring Stephen A. probably would be a good hire.
12:31 am on April 17th, 2009
And speaking of things Fox, I was watching the Mets/Padres game on Wed. Night, and saw the most brazen advertsing I've seen in some time: a CitiField ad for FoxNation.com (Fox's new, overtly right-wide political site). Someone's sure being aggressive in these tough times for the ad business.
2:37 am on April 17th, 2009
I guess if them boys in Bristol won't pay popular hosts like Kilborn, Olbermann and Patrick then why would they pay an empty suit like Steven A?
9:28 am on April 17th, 2009
Erin Andrews can play Whitlock's over-sexed (and clueless) wife.
10:01 am on April 17th, 2009
Sorry, but call me old school. ESPN shouldn't be dominated by button down anchors, reporters and journalists, but anybody old enough (I'm 36) to remember Tom Mees, sometimes pines for the days when the GAME was more important than those who bring the hightlights. Tom Mess announcing a highlight would say simply. 'Phillies and Pirates at the Vet, let's go to the highlights. Bottom of the first, Von Hayes gets the offense started…' Is it boring? A little bit, but Tom Mees and Bob Ley never wanted to be bigger than the sport they covered. Dan Patrick was the perfect blend of respect for the sport he covered while adding humor to augment the show but not take it over. Glad some of that is coming back when Stephen A. Smith among others are being shown the door…
10:08 am on April 17th, 2009
SAS gone? What took ESPN so long? Now make it a clean sweep & get rid of that worthless Skip Bayless, who is even more annoying than SA.
10:10 am on April 17th, 2009
Bye Bye Stevie…You will not be missed. Cocky arrogant uninformed jack off.
11:42 am on April 17th, 2009
I honestly never understood the hate toward Stephen A. It always seemed like they punished the man for yellin and having any personality at all. Sure he yelled, but u knew it was b/c he believed it. I'll def miss him and Skip goin back and forth on 1st and 10, that was hilarious sh*t. Anyway, i hope dude lands on his feet.
11:54 am on April 17th, 2009
Black Mcgyver took the words right outta my mouth. I'll miss the guy 2. I think folks r crazy 4 sayin that SAS was trying to be bigger that the sport/s he was covering or he was angry. Thats what i loved about him. He was as real as it got on epsn. I personally love guys like SAS and Quite Frankly, Wilbon and Kornheiser, Woody Paige, hell even Skip (sometimes). They all remind me of real guys talkin about sports. I hope he lands softly (TNT r u listening?) I'll damn sure be watching, reading, or listening. I'm out like Josh Elliotts personality.
12:11 pm on April 17th, 2009
So let me get this straight: Stephen A gets let go, but Jim Rome is allowed to walk stick around. Strange huh?
1:48 pm on April 17th, 2009
Hey shake and quake guy, any room for white people in your sitcom??
4:22 pm on April 17th, 2009
That's too bad. I really liked Stephen A. Smith. He's much better than that Skip Bay"list"less jerk. I wish someone could tell Bay"list"less to just shut up in his face.
5:41 pm on April 17th, 2009
He was a little annoying, not sure how the guy who brings the ball to the park got so much knowledge on the game. I like the ex-NBA players insight or especially the coaches. Although Avery voice is a little of a annoyance, his insight is right on. Bring back some of the ex-player's nice to hear what they say about others.
www.flipmonkey.com
7:02 am on April 18th, 2009
Why oh why can't ESPN get rid of that smarmy sawed off runt Mike Lupica???
3:31 pm on April 18th, 2009
I'll miss SAS as much as I miss Olberman. The golden age.
8:18 pm on April 18th, 2009
I never really got the infatuation with SAS or Jim Rome. Two personalities that I just couldn't handle. If either of them were on, I kept flipping. Those two have a way of turning the wine of sports into vinegar.
9:08 am on April 19th, 2009
SAS wanted more money than ESPN thought he was worth. I didn't mind him at all. In fact, he really grew on me. But, his opinions are inflexible on his Lakers, his Knicks, and apparently his self-worth in terms of dollars. This was about money and nothing else.
6:30 pm on April 19th, 2009
THANK F**KING CHRIST!!! I am so sick of that little racist twerp…
8:01 pm on April 19th, 2009
Skip Bayless and Jim Rome are such bigger ass's! honestly Jim is such a d**k to ppl in sports…I would love to c him in the person he is insulting shoes bc he should b dead….Skip makes no sence at All!
11:56 pm on April 19th, 2009
FINALLY!
This guy should become a car salesman.
He's absolutely full of SH!T!
1:24 pm on April 20th, 2009
Great! Now if greenberg, wilbon, and cowcrapper were to leave…
5:32 pm on April 20th, 2009
Ah….The SC's golden age. Good times indeed. That's because they had decent competition over at CNN. Anyone remember Sport Night?
8:47 pm on April 20th, 2009
Not surprised they let S.A.S go by not reaching a contract agreement. I'm in the Sports Media biz and it's well known that espn (abc) does not pay well. I work on the west coast and have been to ESPN Bristol on many occasions and I swear the entire place is ran by robots. Everyone has this dead series look that I really cant explain. I have been to Comcast, NESN, Fox Sports, among others around the world…but ESPN Bristol you could not pay me to relocate.
11:55 am on April 21st, 2009
It sounds like all of you are racist! Get rid of all the black sports analysts? You might as well turn on Fox and watch Bill O'Reilly. If you want to get rid of S.A.S, get rid of Tim Legler, Jim Rome, and Barry Melrose as well.
3:06 pm on April 21st, 2009
He should become a stand up comedian.
2:20 pm on April 24th, 2009
Whether you like him or not, ESPN sucks at everything they do. Any person who works there, or an affiliate, or knows anything about them knows they are a fascist regime. They are cheesey bitches and need some competition in the 24 hour national sports networks (FSN doesn't count). YEs, they are racist too by the way.
2:35 pm on August 19th, 2009
Stephen A. Smith is a blatant racist, with a Napoleonic Complex. He has no business being an analyst, or expert on anything, let alone sports. He is a dinosaur and should have lived in the 60’s.
3:46 am on August 26th, 2009
I play pick up ball with Mark Jackson here in Santa Monica. Two years ago, he told me how much he despised Stephen A Smith. Said his commentary was typically superficial fluff and not based on real facts. Looks like the two have gone in different directions at ESPN!