Broadcasting giant Stephen A. Smith issued a cryptic tweet about his future following the recent layoffs by ESPN.
At the end of June, the mega sports broadcaster laid off over 20 on-air talents, including Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson, who were part of the Keyshawn, JWill, and Max show with Jay Williams. Despite Pat McAfee signed a bumper five-year deal in May, Disney chief executive officer Bob Iger endeavoured to cut 7,000 jobs worldwide, saving $5.5billion (£4.8bn) in the process.
Following the disappointing news, Smith, one of the most recognisable faces in sports commentary, took to his YouTube program the Stephen A Smith Show , to suggest that nobody is safe, including him. “This ain’t the end. More is coming,” he said. “And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could be next. Let me tell you all something.
“Don’t ever, ever, ever in your life as a Black person take anything for granted. I told you before, when white folks catch a cold, Black folks catch pneumonia. The one thing I could tell you about Stephen A, this ain’t 2009. I really didn’t see it coming. My eyes are always wide open now. I’m never comfortable. I never take anything for granted and I never assume that I’m safe.”
Smith is currently on a $12million (£9.4m) per year deal, $8m (£6.2m) in regular salary, and $4m (£3.1m) in a production contract set to expire in 2025. The idea of the star of NBA’s First Take and a significant needle mover being relieved of his duties by ESPN is a shocking one, but he is not taking anything for granted.
Along with Kellerman and Williams, the likes of commentator and former NBA coach Jeff van Gundy and former player-turned-analyst Jalen Rose, were also let go by ESPN. Smith took some time on his show to speak about the duo, friends of his, and the 55-year-old was left upset by their axing.
“To see Jalen Rose gone, my brother,” he said. “I have got a lot of love for that brother, a lot of the great work he has done over the years, and what he has represented for the company. He is a brilliant basketball mind and somebody that worked his a** off all the time.”
He added: “I could say I am going to miss him but I just cannot imagine he is going to be out of work for long. I am sure I'll see him on the air doing his thing. Jeff Van Gundy is a Hall of Fame analyst and commentator.”
Regarding the cuts, ESPN released a statement provided to Front Office Sports which read: “Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun. “This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.
“This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth."
