Stephen A. Smith is leaving ESPN

Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN reporter and once a rising star who had his own show called "Quite Frankly With Stephen A.Smith" on ESPN2, is leaving the station as of May 1. On his own website, Smith confirmed rumors that had been circulating that he would be gone at the end of his contract.

Through ESPN, Smith issued a statement: "It's been a wonderful, wonderful ride, filled with great accomplishments, great memories and, most importantly, great friendships. It's difficult to express how appreciative I am to ESPN for all it's done for my career. But nothing lasts forever. It's time to move on.

"While my love for sports has never dissipated -- of course, I'll never let go of Sports -- my desire to venture beyond sports into the world of news, politics and entertainment has grown. Where that will take me? Who knows! But I'm about to find out. I'll just do so with some degree of sadness, knowing all the friends I'll leave behind."

And also through a statement ESPN says: “We thank Stephen A. for his many contributions to ESPN and wish him well. We decided to move in different directions."

"Quite Frankly" was highly promoted and ran from Aug. 1, 2005, through Jan. 11, 2007. Smith kept his job as a sports columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer while working for ESPN until he left the paper in 2008 after editors told him he would no longer be able to write a column but could stay as a reporter.

According to a media website, The Big Lead, ESPN and Smith could not come to a contract agreement.

-- Diane Pucin

Comments

[Harold F. Crockett Jr.]

I'm sorry to see Mr. Smith leaving ESPN. His timely, and knowledgeable, reports and opinions have been much appreciated. Much success to him in the future. If Kieth Olberrman could work in both worlds, why not Steven A. Smith?

[Chris from Philadelphia]

What a joke! He says his ride is filled with great accomplishments--I wonder what he thinks he accomplished? I would say he achieved a new low in broadcasting during his time--obnoxious, pompous, arrogant, ignorant, and always unbearable. Good riddance--one less jackass know-nothing on ESPN. I wonder when Stuart Scott is leaving??

[travesty]

Hey STEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNN,

Nice call on the Blazers draft day a couple years back. You, son missed the ocean.

Where are my cheetos?

[Kevin]

Stephen, I love you sports bar argument style, its very unique. I have one thing
to say regarding the NBA Playoffs, ONE GOAL, THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS.
Recognize Stephen, recognize. ITS OUR YEAR....

[lost in windy]

Good riddance! He added nothing to the discussion. His answer was to always try to out shout his opponent.

All I can say is WHATEVER he decides to do, do it on a local level so I don't have to see him My luck he'll be in LA.

[Yoel Molina]

the guy is unbearable! peace out! thank you espn!

[Darrell Owens]

Job well done Stephen A! Wish you the best! I'm sure this isn't the last we'll hear from you!

[Marklyn T. Johnson]

Stephen A. Smith loud onoxious and sometimes rude. Thank you my brother. That is how African Americans and or the culture we are as being African American Discuss things. I see the comments made by some of these people above and they did not respect the fact you kept it personal the same way their comments were.
You spoke about any topic with passion and fire.. You had no issue with sayin what you felt and even saying if you were wrong. While most people are intimidated by any African Americans who express themselves so some try to blend in unless we play a sport. You showed you can be yourself and still stay true to the art of whatever you choose to do.

You took BBQ, Bar, Locker room discussion and showed us how it is. While others were trying to find that good word to say you just gave the direct thought of many people.

My nickname is Stephen A. Why cause I tell it like it is. In your next venture I know you will persue it with the passion you have shown here. While some will never like your style... As long as you stay true to who you are that style will always be worth listening to and is welcomed by all...

[keith richards]

steven was the best thing on ESPN. i hate to see the good ones go. they didn't keep Max and now Steve. No one argues with Skip the way he does. it is a sad day for ESPN, because no one tells it like it T-I -is!

[Hutt Hudson]

You were and are very direct and very understadable in what you say. Many people hate getting to the POINT of the subject and like to beat around the bush, but you are hard hitting and force all your opponent to try and low ball you when you make a great point! You get the interviews most cannot get: T.O. specifically and others. Many are jealous of that and feel that you are one sided. I feel you pursue truth and give it to'em RAW! How dare people bad mouth you! Many people, especially us in the South depended on your editorials and stories to get the real story....everyone won't admit that, but that is how it was. I pray for you my brother and hope to see you soon.

[gerrodney]

Yall cud say what u want to say about Stephen he speak his mind keep it real if u goin to get mad for the truth o well get use to it

[Jeff C]

Stephen definitely had no problems speaking his opinions at ear shattering levels. The only problem with that is, he wasn't really "telling it like it was", he was telling it like he hoped it would be. Hands down, Stephen was the most obnoxious, overly arrogant talking head ever to disgrace the 4 letter network and his passing will be welcomed by the sweet sounds of silence. Remember, just because you say something loud and full of passion, it doesn't mean you have any more of a clue about what you are actually saying than, oh, let's say Skip Bayless. Bye Bye Stephen A

[Mark]

I am so relieved that ESPN is starting to get rid of the waste. Please take Skip Bayless next.

Obnoxious, rude, and without merit in thought or intent. S. A. Smith was a joke, he was inadequate for any responsible job. ESPN or whoever hired him because they thought his 'style' would bring in viewers.

Just goes to show you, sometimes the people that make decisions consider the viewers as intelligent, and get remove the trash.

[Kev Kotight]

To the person who wrote that Stephen A. Smith talked like any other African-American does around the BBQ is completely ignorant. Why bring race into this? Stephen had good points and bad points. He was loud and obnoxious at times, but also candid and straight-forward. I couldn't stand his delivery, and that's why I'm glad he's gone. As for "most people" being intimidated by African Americans speaking for themselves, that is ludicrous. How many commentators of color are there? Emmit Smith, Marcellus Wiley, Michael Earvin, Keyshawn Johnson, Mark Smith, Shannon Sharpe, J.B. and I could go on and on. Where are the Latinos? That should be the question.
Now if we could only get ABC to drop Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy, life would be great.

[John]

How are there so many people who actually liked this guy? He was probably the worst of anyone on ESPN...aside from every single person who talks about college football

[don king]

in the end, steven a. could not sell the soap and espn let him go. ratings kind of speak for themselves. most people did not dig steven a., i.e., did not watch his show. ergo, the brother needs to find a new gig. good luck with that.

[One word]

Obnoxious, Skip 'O, say can you see me Baynone' Bayless, please.

[Jamie Webber]

About race? No. Its just about obnoxious commentary. I happen to agree with the lot of you that said get rid of Skip. Obnoxious reporting gets on your nerve after awhile. Like at the bar or bbq, you can only take so much of someone ranting on about crap. Then you shove a beer in their face and tell them to "let it go". Skip is at least is trying to "see the other side" although feabily. Now there IS a place for that kind of reporting but not as a regular on ESPN, maybe some blog somewhere.

[lions fan]

sorry to see you go, Steven, you are a much needed voice on ESPN and sports casting in general. if all we have left is Skip , i have no choice but to look for other sports programming, may i'll go back to radio!!

[Jock Coostow]

Overall, a poor commentator...sure, he voiced his opinions, but came across as a fan instead of an "expert". See ya.

[Charlie]

One less reason to use the mute button. Now if only we could do something about Shannon Sharpe. Ebonics are bad! Imaging coming to this country for the 1st time and turning on a TV to hear this dribble, you'd think Americans are a bunch of loud obnoxious people who can't speak English very well....oh wait, that does describe an annoyingly large number of Americans

[ed]

I liked Stephen A he told it like it was.He seemed to get the interviews with certain athletes that seemed as if they would only talk to him.Good luck my brother I am sure you will be fine it is just time to move on.Many may not like his style but it is good to see a black man on tv thats well dressed speaks well and knows what he is talking about.There are many that dont speak well at all on espn,nfl network,nba tv.

[Gloria Holder]

Hey Stephen, I did enjoyed your comments and you made sports fun. I respect your opinions. I know many wonderful doors will open for you.
God Bless you.

[Vincent D]

That's espn lost. I hope they get rid of that racist Jim Rome next. He's such a jerk that we all can see open racsim live and in person...

[Noelle]

I wonder what happened to him. I'm so happy he is gone. I interned at the Philly Inquirer while in college and I can vouch for Step being a complete pompous jerk.
Outside of his character issues, he's just a terrible journalist. Good Riddance!