Popular analyst Stephen A. Smith has been a central figure in ESPN’s NBA coverage for more than two decades. Recently, his relationship with the network made headlines after ESPN instructed him to stop promoting Solitaire Cash.

But ESPN made an even bigger move this week. They officially revealed a redesigned NBA Countdown lineup that no longer includes Smith. On his SiriusXM show Tuesday, Smith responded to the reactions surrounding ESPN’s announcement of its revamped studio crew.

“So essentially, it’s talking about me no longer doing NBA Countdown. Let me say this. I had a contract negotiation last year that started in June and ended in March going into April. It was decided at that particular moment in time that I wouldn’t be doing NBA Countdown anymore because I didn’t want to,” Smit

See Full Page