ESPN’s entire MNF crew SLAMS Stephen A Smith! REFUSES TO EVER WORK with him for this reason! | HO

Stephen A. Smith plans HUGE career move at ESPN amid reports he wants a new  $25million-a-year contract | Daily Mail Online

Stephen A. Smith has long been one of the most recognizable faces of ESPN, with a career spanning multiple decades and touching upon various facets of sports media. Known for his fiery debates on ESPN’s First Take and his signature outspoken personality, Smith has risen to prominence not only for his knowledge in sports, but also for his ability to engage and entertain viewers.

However, despite his achievements and his widespread influence at ESPN, recent reports indicate that the Monday Night Football crew at ESPN has no interest in working with him. This development has sparked considerable discussion, especially since Stephen A. has expressed interest in expanding his role to include NFL coverage. So why would ESPN’s Monday Night Football team slam one of the network’s biggest stars? Let’s dive deeper into the drama surrounding Stephen A. Smith and the reasons behind the Monday Night Football crew’s reluctance to welcome him into their ranks.

It’s no secret that Stephen A. Smith has his sights set on expanding his coverage to include more NFL content. Smith, who primarily made his name covering the NBA, has ventured into the realm of football over the years. However, his grasp of the intricacies of football has been called into question on multiple occasions.

Smith has publicly expressed his desire to join the Monday Night Football crew. In his mind, his reputation as one of ESPN’s biggest stars should be enough to warrant consideration. After all, he’s one of the highest-paid personalities at the network, reportedly earning around $12-$13 million annually. He’s also a versatile commentator, having covered not just sports but also politics and entertainment on various platforms.

However, despite Smith’s ambitions, his potential involvement with Monday Night Football has been met with resistance from the very team he hopes to join.

According to a source reported by The Sun, the Monday Night Football crew is not thrilled with the idea of Stephen A. joining them. In fact, they seem to be adamantly against it. This refusal isn’t just based on his personality; there are several factors at play that have led to this rejection.

Firstly, one of the major issues the crew has is Stephen A.’s perceived lack of in-depth football knowledge. While Smith is an expert in basketball, having played the sport in college and covered the NBA for years, his football analysis has been questionable at times. A notable example occurred about four years ago when Smith made an infamous mistake on First Take by mentioning players in an NFL game who were either injured or no longer on the team. This blunder is often cited as an example of his limited expertise in the sport, and it left a lasting impression on football analysts and fans alike.

Jeff Pearlman slams Stephen A. Smith's NFL analysis: 'He's guessing'

Secondly, the Monday Night Football crew is concerned about Stephen A.’s personality and reputation. On First Take, Smith thrives in a debate-driven environment where heated arguments and strong opinions are the norm. However, the atmosphere on Monday Night Football is different. It requires more nuanced analysis and teamwork, something that the crew believes Stephen A. may not excel in. His larger-than-life persona and desire for the spotlight could disrupt the show’s dynamic, which is more focused on collective analysis rather than individual personalities.

Another factor that may be contributing to the Monday Night Football crew’s refusal to work with Stephen A. is his reputation as a difficult colleague. Smith has openly admitted that he played a role in the removal of former First Take co-host Max Kellerman from the show. According to Smith, he had been advocating for Kellerman’s departure for years because he didn’t enjoy working with him. This revelation has painted Stephen A. as someone who may not always be a team player, a quality that is essential in a collaborative environment like Monday Night Football.

The Monday Night Football crew, including top analysts and personalities like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, reportedly view Smith’s attitude as a “red flag.” They fear that his presence on the show could create unnecessary tension and disrupt the team-oriented nature of the broadcast. The crew has even been heard laughing about the prospect of Stephen A. joining them, with some suggesting that “there is no way he joins us.”

Stephen A. Smith is known for his love of the spotlight. He enjoys being at the center of attention, and his strong personality has made him a household name in sports media. However, this very quality may be working against him when it comes to Monday Night Football. The show isn’t about individual fame; it’s about providing insightful football analysis and commentary for a national audience.

Smith’s critics argue that his desire for attention may hinder his ability to fit into the show’s more subdued and analytical format. The crew reportedly believes that he would want “the whole attention and all the spotlights,” which doesn’t align with the more balanced approach required for Monday Night Football broadcasts.

While Stephen A. Smith may face resistance from the Monday Night Football crew, it doesn’t mean that he’s entirely out of the NFL conversation at ESPN. He will likely continue to discuss football on First Take and other ESPN programs, where his brash and bold style is better suited. Additionally, given his high profile and the network’s investment in him, there’s always a chance that ESPN could find other ways to incorporate him into their NFL coverage without placing him directly on the Monday Night Football crew.

However, for now, it seems clear that the Monday Night Football team has no interest in working with Stephen A., and they have made their feelings known.

Stephen A. Smith may be one of the biggest names in sports media, but his ambitions to expand his role into Monday Night Football have been met with strong opposition from the existing crew. Concerns about his football knowledge, his reputation as a difficult colleague, and his love for the spotlight have all contributed to the crew’s refusal to work with him. While Stephen A. will undoubtedly continue to dominate ESPN’s basketball and general sports coverage, his future in NFL analysis, at least on Monday Night Football, remains uncertain.