Stephen A. Smith is known for his direct style, never beating around the bush when addressing any topic. He does not like to circle an issue but instead goes straight to the point. There is no reason to be redundant when one can get directly to the heart of the matter.
Recently, he had a conversation with Graham Bensinger in which he opened up about several subjects.
- Professional relationships
- Financial goals
- His new contract with ESPN
- The way he gets along with Pat McAfee
In other words, Smith kept nothing to himself. He laid everything out during the In Depth with Graham Bensinger show.
What Stephen A. Smith said in the interview with Graham Bensinger
As already mentioned, it is customary for the ESPN commentator to say everything that is on his mind, and during the interview with Graham Bensinger, he did exactly that.
That’s not true.”…”No, we had a difference of opinion about something. He thought that I did something that I didn’t do. Somebody else had done it. So once that stuff was clarified, we were absolutely fine, and we’ve been fine.
Bensinger also asked him about what had happened between him and Pat McAfee regarding a phone call the two reportedly had, according to The New York Post.
The Post has learned that a private conversation several weeks ago between Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith got heated, as things escalated to the point where McAfee called Smith a “mother–r.”…”The dispute arose from creative differences involving a yet-to-be-announced project.
Later, it was reported that Smith had prohibited McAfee from appearing on the program First Take after the issue. However, McAfee himself told the Post that he was unaware of any ban from the show and added that he loved Smith. The commentator echoed that sentiment by assuring that he had no problem with McAfee.
This is not the first time that friction between the two personalities has been discussed. In 2025, Dan Dakich, who previously worked at ESPN, said that there was hostility between them.
“McAfee’s the enemy at ESPN.”… “Not among (chairman James) Pitaro and (ESPN president of content) Burke Magnus and the rest of the suits, no, no, no. He is the enemy of the ESPNers that are African-American and siding with Stephen A. Smith. True story.
Dakich said.
Smith, as expected, did not remain silent and responded on his X account, saying.
Peeps, normally I wouldn’t waste my time. But this is a flat-out lie – and some straight BullS#%! There isn’t a shred of truth to this B.S. I root FOR my teammates, not against them. And I damn sure have NEVER encouraged my colleagues to do otherwise.
Although both men exchange pointed remarks from time to time, there may be something deeper behind it all. As the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire, and situations like this often suggest that more is happening beneath the surface than what is publicly acknowledged.
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