Stephen A. Smith created a noticeable absence in the revamped NBA Countdown. ESPN announced a completely new lineup, and the shake-up surprised many fans. Smith did not appear among the hosts. His presence had been crucial for years, which sparked immediate speculation. However, the analyst stepped forward to clarify the situation.
Smith recently explained that the decision was his. “I had a contract negotiation [with ESPN] last year that started in June and ended in March, going into April… At that point, it was decided that I would no longer do ‘NBA Countdown’ because I didn’t want to,” he said.
A personal choice in pursuit of balance
According to the New York Post, Smith detailed the reasons behind his departure. He admitted he loved the show. However, he emphasized that his workload was too heavy, since he had to take on more tasks after each broadcast. That routine kept him in the studio until midnight. Avoiding that exhaustion became essential. He insisted there was no internal conflict and confirmed that he respected the entire team. He also reiterated that his relationship with ESPN remains strong.
The analyst signed a lucrative five-year contract in 2025. The Athletic reported that the new agreement allows him to focus on First Take while reducing his responsibilities in other programs. NBA Countdown was part of that restructuring, and now Malika Andrews leads the new version, joined by Kendrick Perkins, Michael Malone, Brian Windhorst, and Shams Charania.
My reaction to the NBA Countdown “news”
Full video: https://t.co/iOcjHtzo6V pic.twitter.com/4RwEZNIxW8— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 18, 2025
Smith stated that his exit opens the door to new projects. He explained that he now works on Monday Night Countdown. He is also developing a political show for SiriusXM and managing a production company with diverse content. Those responsibilities emerged after his contract renewal. For that reason, leaving NBA Countdown felt natural. However, he stressed that he remains available to ESPN and would return for specific commitments if needed.
The analyst praised the talent of the current group. He pointed out that the network has a strong team and mentioned figures like Barkley, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson. He believes the television landscape has evolved, which makes his presence on that show unnecessary.
Smith insisted there is no scandal behind his exit. He explained that it all stemmed from an earlier negotiation. That is why the decision did not surprise those around him.
