Stephen A. Smith survived ESPN’s recent round of layoffs but asserts that “more is coming.” Moreover, he claims that not even he is safe.
Disney carried out a mass firing of about 7000 employees. Amongst those cutbacks were over 20 on-air personalities. Although Smith still has his job, he highlighted how difficult the news was because many of those leaving were his friends. Furthermore, he believes that they deserved better.
“As you all know, I work at ESPN,” Smith said. “My day job is First Take … And there are a lot of people who got laid off. Friends of mine actually definitely respected colleagues who’ve done a phenomenal job and deserve better.
But it’s not Disney or ESPN that they deserved better from. They deserved better from than the times we’re living in … When Disney announced that 7000 layoffs were coming, everybody associated with ESPN knew this day would arrive. Folks as individuals were hoping it just wasn’t them.”
Then, the ostensible face of ESPN informed his audience that more layoffs are coming. In fact, Smith noted that he could be next. Fortunately, unlike his former self, he understands the environment he’s in and isn’t taking anything for granted.
“But if we’re going to be real about it,” Smith added. “Let’s deal with reality. This ain’t the end. More is coming. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could be next.
And one thing that I can tell you about Stephen A this ain’t 2009. I really didn’t see it come in. My eyes always wide open now. I’m never comfortable. I never take anything for granted, and I never assume that I’m safe.”
Smith bids farewell to his colleagues
The 55-year-old also took time to say goodbye to some of his cohorts. Firstly, he extolled former NBA player Jalen Rose for his exceptional tenure with ESPN.
“To see Jalen Rose gone,” Smith said. “My brother. Done an outstanding job for us covering the NBA for years. Got a lot of love for that brother. A lot of the great work he’s done over the years he’s represented for the company. I’m gonna miss him. Jalen Rose has always been good to me. And I loved working with him on NBA Countdown.
He is a brilliant, brilliant, basketball mind. He is somebody that worked his ass off all the time. There was never an assignment that he backed away from; there was never a time he didn’t wanna work. And my heart goes out to him for being one of these cuts after his exceptional run at ESPN.”
Next, Smith talked about Jeff Van Gundy and Keyshawn Johnson. Regarding the former, he said, “I could say I’m gonna miss him but I just can’t imagine he’s gonna be out of work for long.” The veteran pundit echoed a similar sentiment for Johnson. However, he also emphasized that they’ve been friends for over 20 years and that he loves him to death.
Smith says goodbye to Max Kellerman
Finally, in a somewhat surprising farewell, Smith spoke about his former co-host Max Kellerman.
“I am not happy that he is gone,” Smith said. “We all know what history we had. We all know what happened with he and I parting ways on ‘First Take.’ I don’t want the brother unemployed; I want him gainfully employed. I want him having a job and a career. And that brother knows his boxing inside and out, is smart as a whip, and has been around a long time. I wish him no ill will. And, matter of fact, although I sincerely doubt he ever will, if he ever called me needing my help, I would not hesitate to help him.”
In a statement from ESPN, they said they needed to cut costs “in the area of public-facing commentator salaries.” Moreover, this included “a small group of job cuts in the short term.”
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