Stephen A. Smith has dominated the sports airwaves and has started to make noticeable inroads into the realms of politics and culture through his podcast and appearances across various shows on various networks.
Last week, Stephen A. and Sirius XM announced a new deal that will bring ESPN’s biggest personality to the satellite radio giant this September through the hosting and producing of two new shows, one focused on sports and the other on news, entertainment and politics.
“To say that I’m excited would be an understatement,” Smith said in a release. “I’ve been on Mad Dog before, had the time of my life. So I’m loving the fact that I get to reunite with my guy, Mad Dog, on his turf. That, in itself, is a beautiful thing. But to then add a weekly show where I have a potent platform to discuss riveting subjects in the world of pop culture, politics, and social commentary… Let’s just say, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The first show will be a new daily sports talk show that will air weekdays on Mad Dog Sports Radio beginning on September 2nd. And since it’s on Sirius XM, you know the filters will be completely off.
The second show, which he will be creating, will be a weekly show focused on current events, pop culture and social commentary. The channel has yet to be announced.
No figures have been released as of yet, but the fact that Sirius XM will be the exclusive audio home of Stephen A. means that it’s a major deal.
“Stephen A. is a singular talent and one of the most influential voices in media today,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “While so many people know him for his unparalleled sports commentary, his interests extend far beyond the borders of sports and into the worlds of politics, news, entertainment and so much more. SiriusXM gives him the unfiltered creative freedom to delve into any topic and allows him to showcase his unique talents and perspectives.”
So now Stephen A. will be heard on ESPN’s First Take, appear on additional programming on the network including NBA Countdown and could expand to NFL coverage as well. Then you will hear him every day ranting about sports, politics, pop culture and social issues on two shows on Sirius XMt sports daily and weekly.
While that’s great for Smith and his fans, you have to wonder if it’s going to become Stephen A. overkill for everyone else.
That’s not to bash him as he deserves the fame, exposure, opportunity and financial windfall. He has worked hard and built his empire through success and failure, including being pushed to the side by ESPN at one time in his career.
He began his journalism career at the Winston-Salem Journal, before moving back to New York and The Daily News and then ultimately landing at The Philadelphia Inquirer, which is where he caught ESPN’s attention.
But moving to TV wasn’t easy.
