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Steve Smith Sr. is becoming teammates again with Cam Newton.
Smith is moving his podcast/YouTube program to Blue Wire Podcasts, which offers shows by ex-athletes such as Newton, Dwight Howard and Penny Hardaway.
Blue Wire founder and CEO Kevin Jones tells Front Office Sports that he signed a multiyear deal for the ex-Panthers wide receiver’s podcast, The 89 Show, which has 173,000 followers on YouTube. The show is co-hosted by NFL insider James Palmer of Bleacher Report and The Athletic. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Smith and Newton plan to make guest appearances on each other’s shows, according to Jones. Looking ahead, he wants to ramp up marketing and distribution for The 89 Show, which blends Smith’s expertise as a 16-year NFL veteran with Palmer’s insider knowledge. As part of the deal, the 46-year-old Smith bought back his podcast’s IP rights from Underdog. Smith, who was in the news recently due to a lawsuit, also serves as a TV analyst for NFL Network.
“Steve has always been one of the most authentic voices in football, and The 89 Show reflects exactly that,” Jones says. “We’re ready to provide Steve and James with the resources to grow their content business and connect with fans on a deeper level.”
Added Smith in a statement to FOS: “Football fans know me as someone who doesn’t hold back and consistently brings unfiltered and straightforward takes. Blue Wire gives The 89 Show an enhanced platform to continue bringing James’ and my perspective to an expanded audience with new distribution. Fans can count on The 89 Show to be honest, direct, and entertaining.”
Newton’s production company, Iconic Saga, initially teamed up with Blue Wire in May 2024. The business partners extended their deal for Newton’s 4th&1 show this year, with Blue Wire forging a long-term agreement for ad sales and sponsorships.
With Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN after a series of lawsuits, Newton, 36, is taking his role on Stephen A. Smith’s popular First Take, FOS reported last week.
