You know that feeling when you hear a voice through the wall and immediately know exactly who it is? That’s Stephen A. Smith. If you’ve turned on a TV at 10 a.m. ET anytime in the last decade, you’ve seen it. The suit is impeccable. The hairline is retreating, but the energy is advancing. He’s leaning into a microphone, hands gesturing wildly, explaining why the Dallas Cowboys are an "accident waiting to happen."
Stephen A. Smith on First Take isn't just a television segment anymore. It’s an institution. It is the sun around which the entire ESPN galaxy orbits.
Whether you love him or you’re currently muted-tweeting about how much he annoys you, the numbers don’t lie. As of early 2026, the man is still the undisputed king of the morning block. But things are changing. Between massive new contracts, high-profile co-host exits, and a weirdly viral moment involving a Texans receiver, the show feels different than it did in the Skip Bayless era.
The $100 Million Signature
Let’s talk money. Because Stephen A. certainly does.
In March 2025, the "Worldwide Leader" finally opened the vault. They signed Smith to a five-year deal worth north of $100 million. We’re talking $20 million to $21 million a year just from Disney. When you factor in his SiriusXM bag and his independent podcast revenue, the guy is clearing $40 million annually.
That is "franchise quarterback" money.
It’s a fascinating pivot for ESPN. For years, the network tried to be the star. Now, they’ve realized that people don't tune in for the four letters; they tune in for the personality. Stephen A. Smith on First Take is the leverage. Without him, that 10 a.m. slot is just a couple of people talking about field goal percentages. With him, it’s a soap opera for people who like Gatorade.
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The new deal came with a twist, though. He’s scaling back. He isn’t the "everywhere all at once" guy he used to be. He’s focused on the "Big Three": First Take, NBA Countdown, and his own production company, Mr. SAS Productions. He even secured a "first-look" deal with Disney for non-sports content. He wants to be the next Oprah or Howard Stern, not just a guy yelling about the Knicks.
Life After Molly: The New First Take Vibe
If you’ve watched lately, you probably noticed a missing face.
Molly Qerim, the "moderator" who survived years of being caught in the crossfire of shouting matches, left the show at the end of 2025. It was a shock. She’d been the glue since 2015. Rumors swirled, but essentially, she declined a contract renewal to pursue other things.
Now, the moderator chair is a bit of a rotating door, though Shae Peppler Cornette has been getting a lot of the reps lately. It’s changed the rhythm. Molly knew exactly when to cut Stephen A. off. She knew his "tells." The new rotation is still finding that timing.
And then there’s the "Rotation of Greatness."
- Shannon Sharpe: The clear MVP of the guest roster. His chemistry with Stephen A. is electric because they actually respect each other.
- Cam Newton: Bringing a different, more "player-centric" energy that sometimes catches Stephen A. off guard.
- Chris "Mad Dog" Russo: High-pitched nostalgia. It’s basically two grandpas arguing about baseball in a deli, and it’s glorious.
The Christian Kirk Gaffe and the "Lane" Problem
Just yesterday—January 13, 2026—Stephen A. reminded us that even the pros trip.
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While breaking down the Houston Texans’ 30-6 beatdown of the Steelers, he was trying to praise wide receiver Christian Kirk for his monster 144-yard game. Instead, he called him "Charlie Kirk."
Yeah. The late political activist.
Social media, predictable as ever, went into a meltdown. "Stephen A. is getting his lanes mixed up," was the general consensus. It’s a fair critique. Because Smith has branched out into politics and social commentary on his own podcast, his brain is processing more than just box scores. When you're talking for 15 hours a week across four different platforms, your "sports brain" and "politics brain" are bound to have a car crash eventually.
He apologized immediately. He looked flustered. But that’s the thing about First Take—the mistakes are part of the product. It’s live. It’s raw. It’s why we watch.
Why the Show Still Works (Despite the Haters)
Critics love to say the show is "tired." They say it’s just "performative yelling."
They aren’t entirely wrong. It is a performance. But it’s a performance based on a deep, encyclopedic knowledge of sports history and a genuine passion for the argument. You can’t fake that level of intensity for two hours a day, five days a week, for twenty years.
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The Formula
- The Lead: Start with the Cowboys, Lakers, or whatever LeBron James did 20 minutes ago.
- The "But": Stephen A. takes a position. His opponent takes the opposite.
- The Escalation: Use words like "blasphemous," "egregious," and "preposterous."
- The Resolution: No one changes their mind. We go to commercial.
It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly hard to do well. Look at the graveyard of failed "debate" shows on other networks. They don't have the "A" factor.
What’s Next for Stephen A. Smith on First Take?
We’re entering a new era. Smith is no longer just an employee; he’s a partner.
He’s already hinted at a potential interest in politics (though he says he’d only do it as an independent). His production company is growing. He’s got his memoir, Straight Shooter, which stayed on the bestseller lists for a reason.
Honestly? First Take is his home base, but it’s no longer his ceiling.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you're watching the show or trying to learn from his career, here’s the real tea:
- Personal Brand is Everything: Smith survived multiple eras of ESPN because the audience follows him, not the brand.
- Adapt or Die: He went from a newspaper columnist to a TV star to a digital mogul. He didn't wait for the industry to change; he changed first.
- The "Points" Matter Less than the "Passion": People don't remember his specific take on the 2023 NBA Finals. They remember how he made them feel while he was talking about it.
The show will keep evolving. The co-hosts will change. The moderators will cycle through. But as long as that camera is on and there’s a microphone nearby, Stephen A. Smith will be there, telling you exactly why you’re wrong. And we'll probably be watching.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to keep up with the latest shifts, keep an eye on the Tuesday morning broadcasts—that's usually when the Sharpe-Smith chemistry is at its peak. Also, watch the moderator chair; ESPN is expected to name a permanent replacement for Molly Qerim by the start of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.