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With “Inside the NBA” coming to ESPN, that means that Stephen A. Smith will be on fewer NBA broadcasts, something that will not only make a segment of viewers at home happy but also Smith himself.
The well-known ESPN personality expressed excitement that the beloved TNT studio show will be joining ESPN through a licensing agreement struck with the NBA.
Stephen A. Smith, NBA analyst for ESPN, looks on before the Boston Celtics play the Knicks in the playoffs. Getty ImagesThat excitement stems not just from his enjoyment of the show, but for the chance to take a step back from some of his on-air appearances.
“‘Inside The NBA’ is coming here and nobody can be happier for that than me,” Smith told Boardroom in an interview. “Not just because those guys are great, but it gives me what I believe to be well-earned relief. It’s been a long time. I’ve been covering the NBA for 30 years, so I’m going to get somewhat of a reprieve to some degree in that regard in terms of an inordinate amount of assignments that I’ve had in the past. So, I’m happy about that.”
Smith was busy during ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Finals and the NBA draft, and that’s without even mentioning his number of projects and appearances away from NBA coverage and sports in general.
The $100 million sports commentator is expected to play a bigger role in the network’s NFL coverage as part of his new deal with the Disney-owned network, and in the interview with Boardroom, he expressed excitement over some vacation time that will help him recharge for the fall.
ESPN reporters Stephen A Smith, Malika Andrews and Michael Malone talk during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals on May
26, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
“I’ll have a greater appreciation for it come NFL season when I’m back,” Smith said, speaking about his duties on “First Take.” “Because obviously I’ll be fresh, refreshed, ready to roll, and I’ll have an even greater appreciation then than I do of it now.”
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