Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Gets New First Take Colleague

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Athlon Trending News Team | Last updated Nov 5, 2025 4:13 PM ET

Stephen A. Smith is set to welcome a new colleague to “First Take” following a new development at ESPN.

The company dropped a huge announcement this Wednesday, revealing that former NBA point guard Kenny Smith has signed a multi-year agreement that will allow him to make regular appearances across network programming, including on ‘First Take.”

Smith moved to ESPN this season as part of a new NBA deal, with “Inside the NBA” leaving TNT for The Worldwide Leader in Sports. He is now set to expand his role with the network and will start as an analyst on “NBA Countdown,” this Wednesday.

USA: Former NBA player and current TNT television personality Charles Barkley (right) and TNT television personality Kenny Smith (left)© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

“Inside the NBA” is still a property of Warner Bros. Discovery, but now airs on ESPN, as TNT no longer has a part of the NBA’s media rights. Charles Barkley wasted no time making an embarrassing mistake on the show following the change.

Per ESPN's announcement, the two-time NBA champion will also serve as an analyst during various NBA games throughout the season.

Inside the NBA’s Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) will appear on additional ESPN programming - including @FirstTake - as part of a new, multi-year agreement pic.twitter.com/1A0DBGtNfa
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) November 5, 2025

While it was expected that Stephen A. would join “Inside the NBA” once the switch to ESPN was confirmed, there have been no significant changes. As it turns out, it’s Kenny who will be joining the “First Take” host on his show.

Known for his shooting accuracy, Smith shockingly lost a free-throw shooting contest to Stephen A. during an “Inside the NBA” segment last December.

The former guard played 10 seasons in the NBA, from 1987 to 1997, winning two championships with the Houston Rockets. He remains immensely popular among basketball fans, and it appears ESPN is looking to leverage his cachet.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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