It was supposed to a night of celebration for Stephen A. Smith.
The ESPN personality had just signed a five-year $158 million extension to remain with the network and was sitting courtside in Los Angeles for the Lakers’ 113-109 overtime victory over the New York Knicks.
At least one person, though, did not appear happy to see him.
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Lakers star LeBron James had a heated conversation with Smith after the game.
Smith said during an episode of “First Take” in late January that Bronny James, LeBron’s son, should not be in the NBA after Bronny was scoreless in 15 minutes during the Lakers 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 28.
“I am pleading with LeBron James, as a father. Stop this. Stop this. We all know that Bronny James is in the NBA because of his dad,” Smith said.
Smith addressed the incident at the beginning of Saturday’s episode of “First Take.
LeBron confronts Stephen A. Smith X
“That was LeBron James coming up to me, unexpectedly, I might add, to confront me about making sure I mind what I say about his son,” Smith said in regards to James’ eldest son, 20-year-old Lakers rookie Bronny James.
“Can’t repeat the words because they ain’t suited for FCC airwaves, that’s what he was doing.
“And I thought long and hard about this over the last few hours cause I had no intention on talking about this at all.
“And the reason was because it was a one-on-one, I wouldn’t say it was a conversation but it was a one-on-one confrontation.
“But then I wake up and everybody from ESPN, my agent and everybody else sending me that this thing had gone viral, so, ultimately it was unavoidable and that is why I have to discuss it now.
“That wasn’t a basketball player confronting me, that was a parent, that was a father. I can’t sit here and be angry or feel slighted by LeBron James in that regard.
“By all accounts, he’s obviously a wonderful family man and father who cares very, very deeply about his son, and based on some of the comments he had heard or shall I say I think he thought he heard, clearly took exception to some of the things he heard me say, and he confronted me about it.”
Smith continued that James’ representation has his contact information and if the father of three were interested in a private conversation.
“That is not what he elected to do. Instead, he elected to confront me while I was sitting courtside,” Smith continued.
“He walked right up to me, and he said what he had to say, and he feels like I was slighting his son. Now let me tell you what I feel. What I would have said if we were in a different environment, cause I was not going to engage in a confrontation at that particular moment in that setting.
“But if he had had that conversation, I would have said to LeBron James I never would speak negatively about your son. I was talking about you.”
Smith added: “I really understood where he was coming from, he was very, very upset, I could tell,” Smith said.
“In the end, like I said, as a father, I get it. I’m not offended, I’m not insulted… If I was in his position, I can’t definitively say I would not have done the same thing. I’m not blaming him one bit.”
ESPN announced on Saturday that it has agreed to a five-year extension with Smith after nearly a year of negotiations.
ESPN did not announce financial terms but a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press that it is at least $158 million.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss financial matters. Smith’s contract with ESPN was slated to expire in July.
The Athletic was the first to report on Thursday that Smith had agreed to an extension.
“I’ve got a lot of things that I want to achieve and accomplish in my life that extend beyond this show and beyond the world of sports. But it all starts here. I’m always proud to be associated with this network,” Smith said. “I’m happy that I’m going to be here for a lengthy period of time for years. I’m really happy. I’m happy that it’s done.”
Stephen A. Smith addressing the incident. ESPN
The extension makes Smith ESPN’s highest-paid talent. Fox Sports NFL analyst Tom Brady remains the top sports host or commentator with a 10-year deal that averages $59.4 million per year.
Smith will continue to be the featured personality and executive producer on “First Take,” which is the network’s top morning show. Smith joined “First Take” in 2012 and was the co-host with Skip Bayless until Bayless left for Fox four years later.
By the time Bayless’ “Undisputed” program was cancelled on Fox Sports 1 last year, “First Take” was drawing more than five times as many viewers.
Smith has even been discussed as a candidate for the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination. He played coy with his intentions during an appearance with Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” on Wednesday.
“I did not ask for this. I don’t want to do this. I happen to have a very, very, very good life. A very good job. I’m good. I’m saying, ‘wait a minute now, I don’t want to do this.’ But the fact that they’re talking about me this way, I must say, I approve this message,” Smith said with a grin.
