You’ve seen the headlines. Maybe you caught a stray tweet or a TikTok clip claiming the face of Disney-owned sports media was finally shown the door. The phrase stephen a smith espn fired starts trending every few months like clockwork, usually right after he says something that makes half of America want to throw their remote at the wall.
But here is the reality: Stephen A. Smith is still very much the king of the mountain at ESPN.
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In fact, he isn't just employed; he’s arguably the most powerful he’s ever been in his entire career. As of early 2026, he is fresh off signing a massive, multi-year contract extension worth at least $100 million. We are talking about a deal that keeps him anchored to First Take while giving him the freedom to chase basically whatever he wants outside the sports world.
Why Everyone Thinks Stephen A. Smith Was Fired
The confusion recently spiked because of a major change in his schedule. In late 2025, ESPN announced a "new-look" lineup for NBA Countdown. When the graphic dropped, Stephen A. was nowhere to be found. Malika Andrews was there. Kendrick Perkins was there. Even Shams Charania was in the mix. But no SAS.
Social media did what it does best. It jumped to conclusions.
"He’s washed," some said. "ESPN finally got tired of the screaming," others joked. But if you actually look at the ink on his latest contract, this wasn't a firing. It was a tactical retreat. Smith basically negotiated himself off the show.
Why? Because he’s 58 years old and tired of sitting in a studio until midnight for West Coast doubleheaders. He’s got a production company, Mr. SAS Productions, and a YouTube show that’s raking in millions of views. He wanted his evenings back to talk politics, record his podcast, and—honestly—just live his life.
"I didn’t want to be on the show," Smith clarified on his own platform. "I negotiated coming off of it."
He’s still the Executive Producer of First Take. He’s still the guy they call for Monday Night Countdown hits during the NFL season. He just isn't the 24/7 "everything analyst" he used to be. He traded ubiquity for autonomy.
The Time He Actually Was Fired
To understand why these rumors stick, you have to go back to 2009. That was the year Stephen A. Smith actually was fired from ESPN. Or, more accurately, they let his contract expire and told him to kick rocks.
It’s a story he tells often now as a "humbling" moment. Back then, he thought he was bigger than the four letters. He wanted more money, he was being—in his own words—a "pain in the ass," and ESPN decided they didn't need him.
He spent three years in the wilderness. He worked a desk job at CNN. He reflected. He even tells a story about his mother putting a mirror on his breakfast tray and telling him he deserved to be let go because he’d gotten too cocky.
That 2009 exit is the shadow that follows him. It’s why people are so quick to believe a stephen a smith espn fired headline today. They remember the first time it happened and assume the cycle is repeating. But the Stephen A. of 2026 is a savvy businessman who makes the network too much money to lose.
The $100 Million Power Play
Let’s talk numbers. Smith’s previous deal was around $12 million a year. His new one? It’s reportedly north of $20 million annually.
ESPN is currently navigating a brutal media landscape. Cable subscribers are dropping. Disney is looking for "difference makers" who can transcend traditional TV. Whether you love his Cowboys rants or hate his voice, you watch him.
What’s In the New Deal?
- First Take Priority: He remains the face of the morning's most-watched sports debate show.
- NFL Expansion: He’s doing more with the NFL now, which is the ultimate gold mine for ESPN.
- Political Freedom: He has the green light to go on Fox News or CNN and talk about the 2028 election without the "stick to sports" muzzle.
- Production Rights: Disney gets a "first-look" at concepts developed by his production company.
He isn't just a "talking head" anymore. He’s a partner.
Sorting Fact from Friction
If you see a headline today saying he’s gone, check the source. Usually, these "reports" are just aggregate sites misinterpreting a clip from his YouTube show where he’s criticizing the network’s direction or discussing his own future.
There’s also the "Inside the NBA" factor. With TNT’s legendary crew (Barkley, Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie) moving their show to ESPN platforms through a partnership, the network has plenty of star power. Some thought this would make Stephen A. redundant. It didn't. It just meant he didn't have to carry the entire NBA burden on his shoulders anymore.
What This Means for You (The Viewer)
Expect more of the "Unfiltered" Stephen A. Since he’s no longer tethered to the strict studio schedule of NBA Countdown, he’s spending more time on his own YouTube channel. He’s talking about everything from the ICE shootings in Minnesota to pop culture beefs.
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If you’re a fan of his sports takes, you’ll still find him every morning. If you’re waiting for the day he’s actually "fired," you might be waiting a long time. He learned his lesson in 2009. He knows how to "play the game" now, and right now, the game is paying him $100 million.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
- Watch the Credits: Check for "Executive Producer" titles on First Take; as long as his name is there, he’s in control.
- Follow the Podcast: His YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, is where he drops the real news about his career moves before they hit the trades.
- Check the Contract Year: His current deal runs through the end of the decade, so unless there is a massive scandal, he isn't going anywhere.