Stephen A. Smith. source: Getty Images Amid plenty of legitimate interest in his political takes, Stephen A. Smith is officially keeping the door open to a run for president of the United States in 2028.
Those are his words. Smith proclaimed at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas on Monday that he’s seriously leaving the door open for a career in politics.
Smith, 57, has been with ESPN since the early 2000s. And while he says he’s enjoying life at the sports broadcasting giant owned by Disney, he’s “sick of this mess” and “officially leaving all doors open.”
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve had no choice but to get more serious about it,” he said. “I’ve been approached by people on Capitol Hill. I’ve been approached by people who are elected officials in office, whether it’s governors or mayors or what have you. People have legitimately, seriously asked me about it. I have no desire to be a politician, but I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to close that door. I’m gonna keep my options open. I’m going to entertain the possibility.
“If it comes in late 2026, 2027, where I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess and there’s legitimate reason to believe … that I indeed have a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States — I am not going to rule it out.”
Smith added that he’d be able to run a campaign on offense, stating that he has no political record and could go after lifelong politicians and their poor records.
“I have no desire to be a politician. My life is pretty well set up,” Smith said. “But I will no longer close the door.”
Just last month, ESPN made Smith one of the highest-paid personalities in sports media when he signed a $100 million extension.
With that number in the back of your mind, it becomes much easier to understand why Smith has no desire to be a politician. The man who was made A-list famous for roasting Kwame Brown and telling athletes to stay off the weed doesn’t want the daily stressors of crooked politicians.
But he’s a polarizing figure — and he knows it. His recent social media stardom and launch of The Stephen A. Smith Show on YouTube has given the longtime sportstalker a legitimate, consistent platform where he can reach anyone. Young people love Stephen A. Old people love Stephen A. And even if you hate him — you know what he has to say, and you can’t ignore him.
He’s no dummy. In real time, he watched Donald Trump — a once-polarizing TV personality in his own right — use his celebrity and influence to legitimately become one of the most powerful and followed people on the planet.
Stephen A. wants a piece of that too.
