About this podcast

Dive into the remarkable career journey of Stephen A. Smith, one of sports media's most influential and polarizing figures. This episode of 'The Deal' explores his humble beginnings, the pivotal moment of being fired from ESPN in 2009, and his relentless drive to redefine himself and the sports media landscape. Smith opens up about the business lessons learned from setbacks, his strategic rise leveraging print journalism and radio, and how he cultivated the 'hot take' style that now dominates networks like ESPN and Fox Sports. Joined by hosts Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, Smith discusses his entrepreneurial ventures, including 'The Stephen A. Smith Show' podcast, and his insights into the evolving media industry, contract negotiations, and the importance of relationships, work ethic, and supreme confidence. Discover the untold story behind the man who transformed sports commentary into a multi-million dollar empire.