Despite his budding relationship with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Stephen A. Smith maintains that he will remain unbiased on First Take. After a spirited debate with Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo Wednesday morning, Smith continued media appearances at Super Bowl LIX Radio Row, where Russo questioned him about his ties to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL commissioners.
“You and Goodell are best buddies!” Russo remarked, prompting Smith to address his independence on sports talk shows. In response, Smith asserted, “They know me, so they know what comes with me. I’m gonna be straight, honest, and not get personal. More importantly, I’m not trying to disrupt the business. I answer to the public, addressing the stories and questions they want discussed. People often bloviate and miss the point, and that’s where the stupidity arises.”
Smith’s impartiality is evident in his critiques, not only of commissioners but also of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Despite their personal connection, Smith recently compared Jones to Joe Biden regarding his cognitive decline. He explained, “We have contracts with the NFL, NBA, hockey, and baseball—these are our partners. That doesn’t mean I can’t speak my mind; it just ensures there’s no room for personal agendas or gotcha moments. If I have questions for commissioners or executives, I will ask them.”
To back his stance, Smith cited instances where all four commissioners participated in separate interviews on First Take in 2023. He successfully maintained personal relationships while also posing tough questions, such as inquiring about former NFL.com reporter Jim Trotter’s legal complaint alleging racial discrimination against the league. While he didn’t challenge the answers given to those questions, he ensured that they were asked.
Ultimately, despite any personal ties he may have with the commissioners, ESPN’s partnerships with the leagues will always take precedence. Even without direct communication with Roger Goodell, Smith has a duty to safeguard ESPN’s interests. If Smith were to excessively defend the leagues amid controversies, it could raise eyebrows among viewers; however, this has yet to be the case.
