• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 13, 2025
exclusive
Tuned In

ESPN Considering Michael Smith Return After Contentious Exit

The former cohost of “The Six,” which was ESPN’s 6 p.m. “SportsCenter” with Jemele Hill, has talked to executives about returning to ESPN.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A well-known ESPN TV personality could be poised for a reunion with the network.

Michael Smith has held “exploratory talks” with ESPN, sources tell Front Office Sports.

The former cohost of The Six, which was ESPN’s 6 p.m. SportsCenter with Jemele Hill, has talked with executives about possibly returning to ESPN on the news/SportsCenter side, say my sources. 

The 45-year-old Smith recently wrapped up a four-year run cohosting Brother from Another with Michael Holley on Peacock. In 2023, the former Boston Globe reporter also scored a high-profile job as a news analyst for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage while launching the Inflection Network with iHeart.

During his 15-year ESPN tenure, Smith was an all-purpose talent, working as a reporter, host and anchor. 

He and Hill developed great chemistry, successfully cohosting the His & Hers midday show. But the duo’s promotion to The Six turned out to be a bust. Despite great fanfare, their personality-focused show ran afoul of by-the-book ESPN executive Norby Williamson. The duo grew increasingly frustrated with management meddling on their show. It didn’t help that Hill made national headlines by calling President Donald Trump a “white supremacist” on X/Twitter.

By the time Hill left The Six in 2018, the writing was on the wall. A few weeks later, Smith departed from his role as sole anchor. In 2019, Smith took a buyout and left ESPN. The network eventually replaced Smith and Hill with Kevin Negandhi and Elle Duncan in the 6 p.m. time slot.

During a 2023 interview with FOS, Smith said he and Hill felt “muted” by ESPN. “Somebody told me a long time ago everything ends badly; otherwise, it wouldn’t end. Was it fair? No. I’m just gonna be binary about it. But life ain’t fair. I don’t look at it that way anymore, I appreciate the 15 years I had there.” 

Throughout the Hill vs. Trump drama, Smith loyally stood by his partner. That may have affected his standing at the company as a result.  With Williamson gone, however, ESPN leaders Jimmy Pitaro and Burke Magnus are allowing personalities like Stephen A. Smith, Scott Van Pelt, and Pat McAfee put their own stamps on their shows. The time may be right for an encore performance by  Smith at ESPN.

Smith appeared on shows ranging from SportsCenter, His & Hers and NFL Live to Mike & Mike, Outside the Lines, and Around the Horn during his long run at ESPN.

My FOS colleague Ryan Glasspiegel broke the news that ESPN will cancel Around the Horn in 2025 after a 23-year run on TV. Could Smith be part of a new weekday show in that show’s old time slot? We’ll see. Smith might not be the only famous ESPN alumn who could return. The sports media giant is also open to a reunion with Bill Simmons, according to Glasspiegel.

Smith could not be reached for comment. ESPN declined to comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Titans Turnover: Brian Callahan Firing Adds to Pattern of Instability

Tennessee fired coach Brian Callahan six games into his second season.
Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti watches game play against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium.

How Indiana Quietly Became a Big Spender in Football

The Hoosiers are ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll, the highest in program history.
exclusive

Max Kellerman to Call TKO’s Zuffa Boxing on Paramount

Kellerman called the Canelo Álvarez–Terence Crawford fight in September.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.

CBS Sports, TNT Sports Under One Roof? Paramount Eyes WBD

Discussions continue about a potential media mega-merger.
October 9, 2025

NFL Viewership Reaches Highest Level Since 2010, Up 8% from 2024

Through Week 5, the league’s audience levels are at a 15-year high.
October 12, 2025

Mark Sanchez Breaks Silence Following Arrest, Hospitalization

Fallout from the Fox analyst’s violent incident continues.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Mark Schlereth
October 9, 2025

Fox’s Mark Schlereth to Replace Mark Sanchez This Sunday

Mark Schlereth will replace Mark Sanchez in the broadcast booth for Seahawks-Jaguars.
May 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Singer Bad Bunny watches game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
October 9, 2025

How NFL Can Get Its Arms Around Bad Bunny Situation

The league could try to balance Bad Bunny with a MAGA-friendly performer.
October 8, 2025

NFL and College Football TV Ratings Continue to Surge, Especially for CBS

The network’s singleheader coverage Sunday drew huge viewership.
October 7, 2025

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.