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Stephen A. Smith For the past three decades Stephen A. Smith has carved out an unparalleled path as a successful host, producer, analyst, and author that has established him as an undeniable and iconic figure in the realm of sports and media. Serving as featured commentator and executive producer, Smith is the driving force behind ESPN’s immensely popular debate show, First Take, the #1 sports morning show since 2012. As the charismatic host of his own podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, he effortlessly captivates audiences across digital and audio platforms worldwide. Smith has an impressive tenure as an analyst on NBA Countdown, ESPN and ABC's longstanding NBA pregame show, and has spearheaded various SportsCenter specials, lending his expertise and charisma to the network's coverage of marquee sporting events since 2018. Furthermore, he was the host of NBA in Stephen A's World, an innovative presentation that accompanied select NBA games throughout the 2022-23 season, where he also assumed the role of co- executive producer alongside his production company, Mr. SAS Productions, ESPN, and Omaha Productions. In January 2023, Smith released his first memoir, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes. Published by Simon and Schuster and Gallery 13, this New York Times Best Seller offers a profound glimpse into his previously untold and inspiring story. In September 2022, Smith unveiled his groundbreaking podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show (previously known as K[no]w Mercy with Stephen A. Smith,) which quickly became one of Spotify’s most followed podcasts of the year. Three times a week, Smith harnesses his renowned insight and analysis to explore the day's biggest headlines and pertinent issues beyond sports, tackling everything from entertainment, pop culture and society, to business and politics. Here, Smith leverages his trademark straight shooter approach to regularly interview a diverse range of celebrity guests, game changers, and thought leaders. Stephen A. Smith's indelible journey at worldwide leader of sports began in 2003, when he first made his debut as an analyst for ESPN's NBA Shootaround (later renamed NBA Countdown). From there, he made remarkable contributions to the network, hosting The Stephen A. Smith Show on ESPN Radio from 2005 to 2008., followed by ESPN2's Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith. Over the years, he regularly appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, First Take, and even took on the role of guest host for shows like Pardon the Interruption and Jim Rome is Burning. Beyond his prowess in the media landscape, Smith has dabbled in the world of acting, making cameo appearances in the ABC soap opera General Hospital as a television reporter in 2007. That same year, he graced the silver screen in the Chris Rock motion picture, I Think I Love My Wife. Since then, Smith has reprised his role in General Hospital as Brick, a surveillance expert for the Mob, making subsequent appearances since 2017, and most recently made a cameo in the highly anticipated film Creed III. Smith holds a degree in Communications from Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in Winston- Salem, North Carolina, where he studied while on a basketball scholarship. His unwavering commitment to supporting students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as his passion for children's literacy initiatives, reflects his dedication to making a lasting impact beyond the world of sports and media. In the ever-evolving landscape of sports and media, Stephen A. Smith stands tall as a trailblazer, entertaining audiences with his unparalleled charisma, expertise, and unwavering dedication. With each endeavor he embarks upon, Smith continues to redefine the boundaries of what it means to be a true maverick in the industry