After comparing Mat Ishbia to Donald Sterling, Stephen A. Smith issued an apology to the Phoenix Suns owner. Earlier this week, Smith watched the Suns miss the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in the NBA and subsequently fired their third head coach in three years, concluding that Ishbia is on the verge of becoming the worst owner in NBA history.
“Mat Ishbia needs to understand that right now you are on the verge of being recognized as the worst owner in the history of basketball. That’s saying a lot. Donald Sterling once owned an NBA franchise.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/ulZQa9Zv8e
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 15, 2025
On Thursday morning, Ishbia responded to Smith’s remarks during a media session, expressing his expectation for an apology, insisting he should not be compared to owners who have been expelled from the league. The following morning, Smith acknowledged Ishbia’s stance and apologized on First Take.
“Mat Ishbia is absolutely right. I do owe him an apology, because I mentioned Donald Sterling. I thought I was making it clear I was talking about basketball. I certainly did not mean to compare him to a person that…has been widely recognized as a racist.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/bkeVqtCe4m
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 18, 2025
“Mat Ishbia is absolutely right. I do owe him an apology, because I mentioned Donald Sterling,” Smith acknowledged. “I thought I was making it clear I was talking about basketball. I certainly did not mean to compare him to a person who was expelled from this league and has been widely recognized as a racist. I should not have mentioned Mat Ishbia’s name in the same breath as Donald Sterling in that regard. I was indeed referring to the Donald Sterling who would heckle his players from courtside and never won anything.” Smith emphasized his respect for Ishbia and stated, “If I’m wrong, I’ll say I’m wrong. Unfortunately, for you, sir, that’s the only thing I’m wrong about.”
While it may have been Smith’s only misstep in this instance, it was significant. When discussing Sterling, the general perception revolves around the racist comments that led to his NBA ban in 2014, rather than any basketball-related failures. In a separate case, former Suns owner Robert Sarver was fined $10 million and banned for a year in 2022 for similar racist and misogynistic language before selling the team to Ishbia.
There are numerous valid criticisms Smith can make about Mat Ishbia’s management decisions, including the rapid dismantling of draft capital following a season that nearly brought the Suns to the Finals in 2021. However, Ishbia does not deserve to be mentioned in the same context as Sterling or Sarver. Smith’s recognition of his error and his prompt and sincere apology are commendable.
