Stephen A. Smith Flirts with Politics but Stays Focused on Sports Media

Stephen A. Smith, the fiery sports commentator known for his bold takes, has once again stirred up discussions about his potential move into politics. During a segment after the 2024 election, Smith hinted that he might be tempted to enter the political arena, expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of the Democratic Party. He even mused that if things didn’t improve, he might take matters into his own hands.

However, on a recent appearance on Fox News’ Hannity, Smith appeared to retract those thoughts, clarifying that he has no interest in running for president. “My lifestyle is quite lovely,” Smith said, adding that he wouldn’t want to sacrifice it by attempting to lead the country. “I have no interest, but I was just trying to make a profound point,” he explained.

Despite his reservations, Smith’s playful comments about a potential presidential run captured the attention of NBA fans, especially after a hypothetical poll showed him at 2% in a 2028 Democratic primary. Some fans embraced the idea of him running, joking about his future policies—one fan even quipped, “He gon pass a bill saying MJ is better than Bron & if you disagree, you’re doing life in prison.”

Others, however, were skeptical, noting that polling at 2% wouldn’t even qualify Smith as a viable candidate for local school board, let alone the presidency. The mix of support and doubt seemed to reflect the unpredictability of Smith’s public persona.

While fans debate his political future, Smith appears to be content in his current role as a sports commentator. On a recent First Take episode, Smith shared his thoughts on the blockbuster Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade. Expressing his surprise, Smith stated that Dončić would likely use his departure from Dallas as fuel for a “revenge tour,” motivated by the team’s questions about his conditioning.

With reports suggesting that Dončić could return to action as early as Saturday, Smith’s fiery takes remain centered on the sports world—at least for now. The LA Lakers, fresh off a victory over the LA Clippers, are on a three-game win streak, adding more fuel to Smith’s coverage of the NBA’s biggest moves.

For now, it seems that Smith is keeping his presidential aspirations on the backburner, much to the relief of those more interested in his unique brand of sports commentary. But as the political landscape and sports world continue to evolve, who knows where his next big move might take him.