Stephen A. Smith September 2025 Life Update featuring Monday Night Countdown
Let’s be honest, Stephen A. Smith is everywhere. You can’t turn on ESPN without seeing his face or hearing his impassioned, often loud, takes on everything from the Dallas Cowboys to the political landscape. He’s the undisputed king of sports debate television, the face of First Take, and a man who has never, ever been accused of being shy. So, is it really a surprise that the Worldwide Leader wants more?
Of course not. What is surprising, perhaps, is the sheer scale of Smith’s ever-expanding empire. It seems a $100 million contract wasn’t just for showing up to argue with Shannon Sharpe. No, that’s just the appetizer. The main course involves Smith planting his flag firmly on the hallowed ground of Monday nights.
Smith Invades Monday Night Football
Get ready, NFL fans, because your Monday nights are about to get a whole lot more… Stephen A. The man himself confirmed he’ll be crashing the Monday Night Countdown party for at least three games this season. He’s not just phoning it in, either. He’ll be live and in person, rubbing elbows with Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, and the newly minted media darling, Jason Kelce.
The confirmed dates for the Stephen A. experience are:
- Week 3: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
- Week 9: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (Oh, you know he couldn’t miss a chance to talk about his beloved Cowboys)
- Week 14: Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers
Smith, with his classic mix of bravado and company-man loyalty, hinted that three games might just be the starting point. “Knowing them at ESPN, they’ll want more,” he said. It’s a move that fulfills his long-held dream of following in the footsteps of his idol, Howard Cosell, a legendary figure on the original MNF broadcast. You have to respect the ambition. The man wants to be a modern-day Cosell, and for a cool $100 million, ESPN seems more than happy to give him the stage.
Will Smith Join the ‘Inside the NBA’ Crew?
With TNT’s iconic Inside the NBA crew, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny “The Jet” Smith, set to broadcast on ESPN this fall, the question on everyone’s mind is: will Stephen A. muscle his way onto that set too? His answer was surprisingly diplomatic, almost… humble? “I only want what they want,” Smith insisted, calling them the “A Team” for a reason. He claims he would never impose himself on their show unless they specifically asked him to join.
It’s a smart political move. He knows that the show is a sacred cow. Barkley and the crew have a chemistry that can’t be manufactured, and trying to force his way in would be a fool’s errand. Smith rightly pointed out, “It’s their show–and it’s their call.” While he’d be there in a heartbeat if they called, for now, he’s content to let the kings keep their throne. You have to wonder, though, how long that will last if the ratings start to dip.
The Shocking Exit of Molly Qerim from First Take
While his star continues to rise, a key piece of his daily kingdom is departing. Molly Qerim, his co-host on First Take for a decade, has resigned. He admitted he was “surprised and shocked” by her sudden departure, attributing it to the often-messy business of contract negotiations.
He spoke about her with a tone of genuine affection, calling her “absolutely wonderful” and a “significant part of the show.” The dynamic between Smith, his debate partner, and Qerim as the moderator has been central to the show’s massive success. Her absence will undoubtedly leave a huge void. It’s the end of an era for First Take. While Smith will surely find another capable moderator, the easy chemistry and years of shared history he had with Qerim won’t be easily replaced. It’s a stark reminder that even at the pinnacle of the sports media world, change is the only constant.
