Stephen A. Smith Discloses Why He Chose Fox Sports Radio After Success With ESPN

Staphen A. SmithStephen A. Smith commands attention whenever he speaks. Known for delivering vociferous opinions on sports and politics, Smith has become one of the most intriguing figures in media. But after several successful years as a leading analyst on ESPN, Smith shocked many loyal viewers when he decided to walk away from the station in order to explore other career options. Smith recently sat down with rolling out to discuss why the move to Fox Sports Radio was critical for his career. –amir shaw

After becoming a renowned analyst on ESPN, why did you decide to leave?


I left ESPN and I was unemployed for six months. I have to admit, it affected my confidence and ego because it’s scary being unemployed. But what people miss was that it was a part of my plan. ESPN never mistreated me. There are problems at every job, but I was happy working there. But I didn’t want to be limited to working only with ESPN. I wanted to explore my horizon.

How does Fox Radio provide more opportunities for you?


I’m at Fox Radio and I have to make the best radio show that I can make. But I can also use it to springboard to different things. Unlike ESPN, my contract doesn’t prohibit me from doing anything else outside of a radio show. If I want to act, I can act. If I want my own late-night talk show, I can have that. I can come to work and have a foundation every day. When I’m finished with the radio show every morning, I’m allowed to do other things.

How have you prospered since the change?

When I departed from ESPN, I turned down five contract offers. The money was great, but it was restrictive. Because of restrictions, I didn’t feel free. As a black man, the most dangerous thing in the world is to be seen as one-dimensional. I can now talk about more than sports. I can be on CNBC and talk about politics and social issues. How are you going to define a man who refuses to be defined?  I don’t want to be defined. I know who I am. I know what I am all about. It’s liberating to be able to have that mentality.

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