Stephen A. Smith, the popular ESPN sports commentator, has been talking about running for President in 2028 since his name was floated in a poll at the beginning of the year. In a new interview with Complex's Speedy Morman, Smith explained that, despite seeming to vacillate about the possibility, he feels he's actually been consistent. And his answer is no...for now.
"You're saying that I switched positions. I haven't switched positions," he insisted on 360 With Speedy. "I said, I've been compelled after talking to my pastor and numerous politicians who I would not name,...they asked me to leave the door open, so I'll leave it open."
Smith went on to explain that being the Commander in Chief would come with "a huge damn pay cut," which he would be unwilling to take.
But that wasn't the end of the story.
"Now, three years from now, if I change my mind, that would be a change," he continued.
He went on to say that he views himself as a "commentator-slash-pundit," not a politician.
"I want to continue to get paid, to be successful, without the scrutiny of tens of millions of American citizens who might not like my positions on the border, the economy, health care, or something else," he told Morman. "I'd rather not have that problem. But if desperate times call for desperate measures and enough people come my way, I'll leave the door open for the possibility [to run]."
You can check out the entire episode of 360 With Speedy in the video above.
Elsewhere in the interview, Smith answered questions about his net worth. He denied the figure seen in some corners of the internet that it is $25 million.
“Not that close," said Smith of that number. "But we’ll see. It’ll be more soon."
