In a significant shake-up to its flagship basketball programming, ESPN has quietly removed veteran commentator Stephen A. Smith from the panel of its popular pre-game show, NBA Countdown.
A New Look for a Long-Running Show
The 'Worldwide Leader in Sports' has announced a revitalised format for the show as it returns for the new season. The network confirmed that host Malika Andrews will be joined by a fresh team of experts. This new line-up includes senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst, longtime analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, and a notable new hire: Michael Malone, the former Denver Nuggets coach who led the team to victory in the 2023 NBA Finals.
Adding to the show's firepower, ESPN's senior NBA insider Shams Charania will be making regular appearances to deliver his signature breaking news updates.
The Disappearance of a Mainstay
Conspicuous by his absence from this new roster is Stephen A. Smith. The outspoken host, who commands a $20 million salary at ESPN, had been a routine presence on the show for multiple years. However, viewers have noted that he has not appeared on the programme during either the preseason or the start of the regular season, signalling a permanent change.
Smith, who remains a dominant force on ESPN through his radio shows on SiriusXM, his YouTube podcast, and his role as host and executive producer of the network's First Take, has so far not publicly commented on his removal from the NBA Countdown desk.
Broader Changes to ESPN's NBA Coverage
This move is part of a wider strategic shift for ESPN's basketball output. The network has stated that the revamped NBA Countdown will serve as the pregame and halftime coverage for select 'NBA on ESPN' evenings this season.
On other nights, these broadcast duties will be taken over by the ever-popular 'Inside the NBA'. The beloved former TNT show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny 'The Jet' Smith, is now produced by Turner and aired on ESPN. This change came after ESPN acquired broadcast rights last year, and the show has already made its debut on the network's airwaves.
The removal of Stephen A. Smith from such a prominent pre-game slot marks a notable evolution in ESPN's presentation, potentially aiming for a different analytical tone as it integrates one of sports television's most iconic programmes into its regular schedule.
