Stephen A. Smith is a ratings magnet. He drives conversation, commands attention, and dominates headlines. But for ESPN, that might be exactly the problem.
In the aftermath of the NBA Finals, fans and media critics alike are questioning whether ESPN’s wall-to-wall coverage featuring Smith has begun to wear thin. From First Take to NBA Countdown, and now heavily featured in NBA Finals coverage, Stephen A.’s constant presence is raising concerns about viewer fatigue.
Critics Say It’s Diluting the Big Moments
Nick Wright of FS1 was among the first to voice his concerns publicly. He praised ESPN’s overall efforts but pointed out that the NBA Finals, despite their importance, didn’t feel distinct or memorable. And he believes Stephen A.’s overexposure is partly to blame.
“If you use Stephen A. for all of your big stuff… if everything is him, it doesn’t feel special. It dilutes it,” Wright said.
He referenced Scott Van Pelt as a contrast, a personality with a defined role and signature events like ESPN’s golf coverage, which keeps his appearances meaningful and memorable.
Colin Cowherd Also Chimes In
Colin Cowherd, who also previously worked at ESPN, echoed those thoughts. On his podcast, he compared the situation to how President Obama selectively uses his voice to maintain influence.
“You can’t have an opinion every time Trump offends you… [Obama] makes it a 2-3 time a year, strong opinion,” Cowherd said. “Stephen A. doesn’t need to be on every major ESPN property.”
Cowherd clarified his critique wasn’t personal, he maintains a relationship with Smith and even turned down a return offer from ESPN. But he still believes ESPN’s NBA coverage, particularly the Finals, felt “underproduced” and lacked the spectacle fans expect from such a marquee event.
The Problem Isn’t Stephen A. Smith—It’s ESPN’s Strategy
This isn’t an indictment of Stephen A. Smith’s talent or influence. He’s one of the most recognizable faces in sports media. The issue is ESPN’s over-reliance on him to carry every major event. Whether it’s the NFL, NBA, or even breaking news segments, Smith is the go-to guy.
But when every moment features the same voice, the moments themselves stop standing out.
For ESPN to regain the magic of its major broadcasts, it might need to work on its roster, not just for variety, but to give each event its own identity.
