Contrary to the chatter that exploded once ESPN unveiled its revamped NBA Countdown lineup, Stephen A. Smith says there was no dramatic exit, no behind-the-scenes power struggle, and definitely no firing.
According to Sports Illustrated, Smith stepping away from the show was part of the plan long before the announcement.
On his SiriusXM program, Smith addressed the headlines directly, noting that fans treated his absence as breaking news—even though he had personally negotiated it months earlier. “Stephen A. Smith is not on NBA Countdown,” he said, adding that the development came from him, not the network.
Smith explained that during his most recent five-year contract negotiations—talks that stretched from summer 2024 into early 2025—he made it clear that he wanted to transition off the studio show.
He emphasized that he enjoyed being part of Countdown, but the weekly workload no longer aligned with the rest of his responsibilities at ESPN.
“I negotiated coming off it,” Smith said. “I love doing NBA Countdown. But once the countdown show is over, I got other things to do than be in studio watching a doubleheader and coming on at halftime.”
He reiterated that the schedule made it difficult to prep for First Take and pursue other projects.
Smith also highlighted his three decades of NBA coverage and acknowledged TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA as the franchise’s top basketball show under ESPN’s new licensing partnership. “They’re clearly the A Team,” he said, adding that he would be open to contributing in Atlanta if asked.
Even as he steps away, Smith praised the incoming Countdown lineup. He referred to Kendrick Perkins as “my brother,” called Malika Andrews “fabulous,” and offered support for Michael Malone, Brian Windhorst, Shams Charania, and the rest of the new group.
ESPN made the new cast official on Monday, November 17, confirming Andrews as host with Perkins, Malone, Windhorst, and Charania joining for the 2025-26 season debut on Wednesday, November 19.
Smith’s absence captured immediate attention. Still, the change tracked with his expanded role at the network and his $100 million contract earlier this year.
While he’s no longer a weekly presence on NBA Countdown, Smith isn’t disappearing from ESPN’s NBA coverage entirely. He’s expected to pop in throughout the season while continuing to focus on First Take, radio, digital projects, and, as he noted, new ambitions outside of sports, including political coverage.