There is a growing trend among ESPN personalities to openly criticize transgender athletes, with Stephen A. Smith being the latest to voice his opinion. During an interview with Bloomberg’s Randall Williams at Radio Row at the Super Bowl, Smith unpromptedly brought up the topic of transgender athletes while discussing his lack of interest in a 2028 presidential run.
When asked about a possible presidential campaign, Smith stated, “Zero, zero interest,” but elaborated on his love for political commentary, which he sees as “social commentary.” He described himself as “a centrist” before pivoting to discuss transgender athletes: “I don’t believe in operating on the fringes. I don’t like MAGA right and I don’t like the woke cancel culture on the left. It’s about a strong economy, being fiscally conservative, and socially liberal, but within reason. I support LGBTQ rights, but when transgender athletes—men transitioning to women—compete in female sports, that’s a different issue.” He emphasized that it’s not just about LGBTQ rights; it’s also about the rights of cisgender females who may be at a disadvantage.
Smith’s comments, which would have been seen as unexpected just two years ago, reflect a shift in the discourse around transgender athletes. Notably, in a December 2023 interview, ex-ESPN host Sage Steele spoke about how the network instructed her and Sam Ponder to refrain from tweeting about trans athletes, even after Steele filed a lawsuit against ESPN for allegedly breaching her contract and violating her right to free speech. This lawsuit was settled in August 2023, allowing Steele to leave ESPN “to exercise my First Amendment rights more broadly.”
Since then, the conversation on trans athletes has evolved, particularly following President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at restricting trans women and girls from competing in women’s sports. Figures from ESPN, such as Kirk Herbstreit and Dan Orlovsky, have also voiced criticisms regarding trans athletes and related gender issues. However, some have subsequently softened their stances.
As such, Smith’s remarks are less shocking than they might have been previously. Already distinct in his approach to political discourse at ESPN, it’s unlikely that he will face significant pushback for his comments. This shift is notable, as ESPN personalities are now addressing topics they once sidestepped, often in response to general political questions.
