Stephen A. Smith reacts to sweeping layoffs at ESPN: 'Deserved better'

Stephen A. Smith, who appears to have survived ESPN‘s latest round of layoffs, believes his now former colleagues “deserved better.”

Smith addressed the layoffs in full detail on his podcast Monday.

“ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent,” Smith said. “Friends of mine actually, definitely respected colleagues, who had done phenomenal jobs and deserved better. They deserved better than the times we are living in.”

ESPN has let go of 18 on-air personalties and reporters this week as part of Disney’s cost-cutting measures.

• Jeff Van Gundy | NBA broadcaster
• Jalen Rose | NBA analyst
• David Pollack | “College GameDay” host
• Max Kellerman | Talk show host
• Keyshawn Johnson | Radio and TV personality
• LaPhonso Ellis | College basketball analyst
• Joon Lee | Staff writer and on-air personality
• Ashley Brewer | “SportsCenter” anchor
• Suzy Kolber | NFL “Monday Night Countdown” host
• Steve Young | NFL analyst
• Vince Carter | NBA analyst
• Todd McShay | NFL Draft analyst
• Matt Hasselbeck | “NFL Countdown” analyst
• Jason Fitz | ESPN Radio
• Jordan Cornette | ACC Network host and college basketball analyst
• Doug Kezirian | “Daily Wager” host and sports betting insider
• Andre Ward | Boxing analyst
• Gene Wojciechowski | “College GameDay” reporter

Stephen A. Smith comments on ESPN layoffs

Smith shouted out a few on his podcast, including Kellerman, whom he shared the “First Take” desk with from 2016-21.

“I’m even gonna miss Max Kellerman,” Smith said, via the New York Post. “I know y’all thought I wouldn’t. I am not happy that he is gone. We all know what history we had. We all know what happened with he and I parting ways on ‘First Take.’ Don’t want the brother unemployed. I want him gainfully employed. I want him having a job and a career.

“And that brother knows his boxing inside and out, is smart as a whip, and has been around a long time. I wish him no ill will. And, matter of fact, although I sincerely doubt he ever will, if he ever called me needing my help, I would not hesitate to help him.”

As for his future at ESPN, Smith admitted he “could be next.”

“This ain’t the end. More is coming,” Smith said, via Awful Announcing. “And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could be next. Let me tell you all something. Don’t ever, ever, ever in your life as a Black person take anything for granted. I told you before, when white folks catch a cold, Black folks catch pneumonia…The one thing I could tell you about Stephen A, this ain’t 2009. I really didn’t see it coming. My eyes are always wide open now. I’m never comfortable. I never take anything for granted and I never assume that I’m safe.”