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Stephen A. Smith Announces Career News on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Kevin Matthew Borba | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 1:44 PM ET

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has become a pillar of the sports media community and is best known for his role on "First Take," which he permanently became a part of May 1, 2012.

Although Smith is synonymous with the morning show on ESPN, he frequently makes appearances on other shows across the network and even dabbles in subject matter outside of sports. Whether it's filling in on "Pardon the Interruption" or serving as an analyst for "NBA Countdown," which he has done since 2021, Smith can do it all.

He also hosts "The Stephen A. Smith Show" on YouTube where he talks about everything from sports to politics, and has amassed over 1.3 million subscribers since launching in 2022. Aside from his jobs as an analyst, Smith is also a recurring guest on the ABC soap opera, "General Hospital," which saw him debut in 2007 for a one-off, but since 2016 has turned into a more prominent role.

Even with having to wear so many hats, Smith still finds ways to keep himself busy, and when appearing on "Good Morning America" on Friday, revealed he will be appearing on a special edition of "Monday Night Countdown."

"I'll be doing Monday Night Football Countdown for ESPN November 3," Smith said. "We'll be in Dallas...Because the people of Dallas love me. I know they don't like to admit it but they have nothing but love. Cowboys fans they love me. Arizona (Cardinals) will be visiting the Dallas Cowboys and I'm coming to town on purpose. I'm looking forward to it."

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Smith, who signed a five-year contract worth over $100 million with ESPN back in March, is known for his disdain for the Cowboys.

He never shies away from an opportunity to poke fun at Dallas or its fans who work with him, as sometimes he will even wear a cowboy hat on "First Take" to mock the franchise, which hasn't won a Super Bowl since 1996.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In September, Smith told Front Office Sports that he was set to appear on at least three episodes of "Monday Night Countdown" this season, and will do whatever ESPN asks of him.

“Those are just the three I know about. Knowing them at ESPN, they’ll want more,” Smith said. “They’ll certainly want more of me on NBA Countdown. And so who knows? I mean, I’m doing First Take. But it’s ESPN. They know whatever they need me for SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, NFL Countdown...It doesn’t matter. Whatever’s going to help make the network successful. Jimmy Pitaro, Burke Magnus, Dave Roberts, Mike McQuade. They know me. They know I’ll do whatever they ask.”

He will join Super Bowl champion center Jason Kelce, Scott Van Pelt, Marcus Spears, Adam Schefter and Michelle Beisner-Buck for the Week 9 matchup, marking his second appearance this season.

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

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