ABC
If there’s one thing that’s certain about Stephen A. Smith, it’s that the longtime ESPN personality is always looking to advance his career.
In recent years, as his profile has grown, Smith’s portfolio of content has expanded, as he now hosts his own popular podcast that routinely goes viral on social media, specifically clips of him intensely analyzing generally absurd scenarios, such as how LeBron having a Fortnite skin impacts the GOAT debate against Michael Jordan.
Now in his mid-50s and having already conquered sports media, Smith is unsurprisingly looking towards what comes next. And, according to the man himself, Jimmy Kimmel’s job is a position he’s eyeing.
Fifteen months ago, Smith told Sean Hannity that he’d “love” to be considered “heir” to Jimmy Kimmel—so I asked Smith, whose current ESPN contract expires in July, 2025: Is that still the case?
“I’d be very interested in succeeding him,” Smith answered. But only if his bosses at Disney, such as chairman Bob Iger, asked him to follow in Kimmel’s footsteps as ABC’s late night star. [via Front Office Sports]
Smith actually has experience hosting a late-night show for ABC as he served as a guest host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! back in August 2021. He also made an appearance as a guest in 2016.
Smith, whose career began as a writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer, has been with ESPN since 2005 and has been one of their most popular talents for the last decade or so, particularly since becoming a full-time member of First Take back in 2012.
Smith’s contract with ESPN, which is reportedly set to expire at the end of 2024, pays the 56-year-old commentator in the neighborhood of $12 million per year for appearing on a variety of programs such as First Take, SportsCenter, Get Up!, NBA Countdown, and more.