Stephen A. Smith on ‘MNF’ Role, ‘Inside the NBA,’ Molly Qerim Departure

NEW YORK — Stephen A. Smith is coming to Monday Night Football.

Starting this Monday, the ESPN superstar will make the first of at least three appearances on this season’s Monday Night Countdown pregame show. Smith broke the news to Renee Washington of Front Office Sports Today during our Tuned In event Tuesday. 

Smith has long wanted to follow in the footsteps of his childhood idol Howard Cosell by working on the original primetime NFL series. FOS previously reported that MNF appearances would be part of the blockbuster five-year, $100 million contract extension Smith signed.

“I’m going to be doing at least three Monday Night Football games this year,” Smith told FOS. 

The featured commentator and executive producer of First Take cited Monday night’s Lions at Ravens matchup in Baltimore, the Cardinals at Cowboys in Week 9, and the Super Bowl champion Eagles at Chargers in Week 14. This season’s Monday Night Countdown cast includes host Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Jason Kelce, Marcus Spears, Adam Schefter, and Michelle Beisner-Buck. The show is typically on-site at that week’s MNF game.

“Those are just the three I know about. Knowing them at ESPN, they’ll want more,” said Smith. “They’ll certainly want more of me on NBA Countdown. And so who knows? I mean, I’m doing First Take. But it’s ESPN. They know whatever they need me for—SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, NFL Countdown—it doesn’t matter. Whatever’s going to help make the network successful. Jimmy Pitaro, Burke Magnus, Dave Roberts, Mike McQuade. They know me. They know I’ll do whatever they ask.”

With ESPN licensing Inside the NBA from TNT Sports this fall, Smith said it will be “totally” up to Charles Barkley & Co. whether he makes guest appearances on their show. While Inside the NBA will air on ESPN, TNT will continue to own and operate the iconic studio program from Atlanta.

“I only want what they want. They’re the A team. They’ve been the A team for decades for a reason. They’re absolutely wonderful, even though they were on a different network. They’re all personal friends of mine. Shaquille O’Neal and I, Kenny Smith and I, Charles Barkley and I, I go back 20 to 25 years with each of them, if not more,” Smith said. 

“I love them like brothers. I respect the hell out of them. I adore them. They’re my brothers. Them coming to ESPN is a tremendous, tremendous thing for us. Which I’m very excited about and very happy about. So to me, I’m there. I got enough jobs. I’ve got enough things that I’m doing. I’m doing my own thing. But if they ever need me to come down to Atlanta, to be in-studio with them, to go to the playoffs or the Finals with them, or whatever it is that they need, I will be there for whatever they want me to be there for. But it’s their show—and it’s their call. I totally understand that. That’s what I insisted upon. I will never do it unless they ask me to.”

Meanwhile, Smith told FOS that he was surprised and shocked by the sudden resignation of Molly Qerim, his 10-year colleague on First Take. But things happen during contract negotiations, he said. Smith wished Qerim the best in her future endeavors.

“I know that I’m thankful for the ten years that we had together. We’ve had a great relationship over the years. I think she’s absolutely wonderful as a person and a human being. She’s obviously a significant part of the show. And I’m going to miss her,” he said.