Stephen A. Smith recently found himself at the center of a heated dialogue after the National Association of Black Journalists presented him with a Thumbs Down award, citing a pattern of commentary that many Black women in media have described as dismissive.
In a 45‑minute YouTube video posted to address the honor, Smith pushed back against the criticism, recalling how the NABJ had been instrumental in opening doors for his early career and expressing a personal resolve to give back to the community that helped shape his path.
The conversation quickly shifted toward his next professional milestone: a proposed arrangement to broadcast Historically Black College and University basketball games, a venture that would require assembling a production crew that mirrors the diversity of the sport’s fan base.
Production Partnerships
Straight Shooter Media, the platform where Smith currently distributes his SiriusXM programs Mad Dog Sports Radio and POTUS Politics, is slated to oversee the production of those broadcasts, though the exact distribution channel remains undecided.
Industry observers note that Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, which operates the free streaming service HBCU GO, could serve as a strategic partner, further intertwining Smith’s ambitions with the growing ecosystem of Black‑focused sports content.
Smith’s creative portfolio also includes collaborations with Religion of Sports, most notably the ESPN+ series Up for Debate, and he has recently announced two greenlit projects that may see scripted series debut on ABC and Amazon, underscoring his expanding footprint across both traditional and digital media.
While the road ahead remains uncertain, Smith’s public stance reflects a broader aspiration to amplify Black voices in sports broadcasting, a goal he frames as a duty to mentor the next generation of talent.