With Donald Trump back in office, memories of ESPN talent clashing with the president online are resurfacing. While the political chatter at ESPN has subsided, Stephen A. Smith is seizing the opportunity to discuss significant issues. Sports media reporter Richard Deitsch sought clarity on ESPN’s current stance regarding political commentary and shared his insights on the latest episode of his podcast, Sports Media with Richard Deitsch. In a paraphrased statement from ESPN’s senior VP of communications, Josh Krulewitz, it was explained that requests from news networks are evaluated individually, with most focusing on sports topics. For Smith specifically, he has an approved separate podcast agreement that allows him to explore non-sports topics at his discretion. His non-sports appearances align with the discussions on his podcast and are not part of his core ESPN duties.
This discussion follows Smith’s regular appearances on news programs during election season, including a recent spot on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. On Inauguration Day, coinciding with the college football national title game, ESPN even aired a brief message from President Donald Trump at halftime. The question remains: Has ESPN relaxed its approach to political commentary from top talent as Trump begins his second term, or is Smith truly an exception?
Both Deitsch and Andrew Marchand from The Athletic remarked that Smith is indeed a rare case at the network. “Stephen A. has indicated—and it’s evident—that he desires to engage in topics beyond sports… there are different rules for him,” said Marchand. After leaving ESPN Radio, Smith launched his own podcast and recently secured a deal with iHeartMedia. With over a million YouTube subscribers, his podcast covers sports, politics, and culture. Under a new deal with ESPN expected to finalize soon, Smith is likely to continue his independent podcasting endeavors.
Beyond Smith, who has earned his level of freedom, Deitsch suggests that ESPN’s statement contains some inconsistencies. “If you comment on organizations like FIFA or the IOC, would you need permission from communications? Probably not. However, discussing Trump’s cabinet might lead to complications. The determination of what constitutes political commentary can be quite subjective,” Deitsch noted. Critics may argue about a double standard with Smith, but this illustrates why ESPN must navigate these matters on a case-by-case basis. Smith has built his own platform and earned the trust of ESPN’s management, establishing an audience that many others lack.
While it may seem like Smith operates under different rules, very few possess the relationships with news producers or the podcasting platforms that allow them to join political discussions. Others, like Pablo Torre, who is now a part-time contributor on Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption, regularly appears on MSNBC. Kirk Herbstreit also voiced his opinions regarding transgender athletes earlier this season. ESPN talent are primarily paid to share their views, so when reports suggest the network stifles their commentary, it draws attention. However, as in most fields, management is likely to support only those who have established their credibility within the company.
