As part of their layoffs, ESPN let go of some top personalities that, included Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber, Jalen Rose, Max Kellerman, and Keyshawn Johnson. And now, Stephen A. Smith believes he could be in line to be laid off by the network.
“This ain’t the end. More is coming. And, yes ladies and gentlemen, I could be next… Don’t ever ever ever as a black person take anything for granted.”
“And one thing that I can 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.”
“This ain’t the end. More is coming. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could be next.”
– Stephen A. Smith on ESPN layoffs
(h/t @awfulannouncing ) pic.twitter.com/dP3hmkkg4y
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 4, 2023
While Smith was unaffected by the firing spree, given the revenue he does generate for ESPN, he still has doubts about his future in the organization. In its statement, ESPN said that it needed to cut costs “in the area of public-facing commentator salaries.”
The news broke as early as June 22 when reports of the network canceling the morning radio show featuring popular household names Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Jay Williams did the rounds. Soon after, more prominent names were laid off.
Stephen A. Smith Had Previously Spoken About Being Laid Off As Well
Prior to the start of the layoffs, Stephen A. Smith had spoken about the incoming firing on his podcast.
“Have you all been paying attention to the business landscape?” Smith said on his K[no]w Mercy Podcast. “Disney itself announced that over 7,000 employees are going to be let go. ESPN is under the Disney umbrella. They’re going to have cuts coming. Hell, for all I know, I might be one of them. Now I doubt that. But it’s possible. No one knows.”
It’s unlikely that ESPN will do away with someone of Smith’s skills and caliber. He has been known for his in-depth analysis, his hot takes, and his style of delivery that’s had the attention and love of the audience for years now. For now, it does appear that he is in the safe zone, but his future, as he puts it, remains in doubt with the network.
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