SiriusXM has announced it will launch a pair of shows hosted by ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith.
Starting on Tuesday, September 2, Smith will host a daily sports show on Mad Dog Sports Radio (Channel 82) from 1-3pm Eastern. Also starting in September, Smith will host a weekly show dedicated to current events and pop culture on a channel to-be-announced. The shows mark a return to radio and SiriusXM for Smith, who previously hosted a show on Mad Dog Sports Radio from 2013-17 produced by ESPN. As part of the deal, Smith will also host multiple in-person SiriusXM subscriber events during the year.
Smith began his career in newspapers as a reporter and later columnist for publications including the Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News and Record, New York Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer. The latter of which he rose to NBA and then general sports columnist. He moved to radio in 2005 hosting a daily show for 1050 WEPN New York adding a national hour on ESPN Radio in 2007. He joined Fox Sports Radio in 2009 and would spend time hosting mornings for the network before returning to ESPN in 2011 where he hosted local shows on WEPN and 710 KSPN Los Angeles prior to the run on Mad Dog Sports Radio. His show would then move back to WEPN/KSPN for a bit before he focused on television in recent years, which he had appeared on dating back to his time as a newspaper reporter.
Smith said, “To say that I’m excited would be an understatement. I’ve been on Mad Dog before, had the time of my life. So I’m loving the fact that I get to reunite with my guy, Mad Dog, on his turf. That, in itself, is a beautiful thing. But to then add a weekly show where I have a potent platform to discuss riveting subjects in the world of Pop Culture, Politics and Social Commentary…let’s just say it doesn’t get any better than that. September can’t come soon enough. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in radio…especially going back and forth with the callers. Can’t wait to get re-started. Buckle Up! I’m coming!”
SiriusXM President/Chief Content Officer Scott Greenstein added, “Stephen A. is a singular talent and one of the most influential voices in media today. While so many people know him for his unparalleled sports commentary, his interests extend far beyond the borders of sports and into the worlds of politics, news, entertainment and so much more. SiriusXM gives him the unfiltered creative freedom to delve into any topic and allows him to showcase his unique talents and perspectives.”
