Former ESPN host slams Stephen A. Smith for comments on Memphis and its safety

Stephen A. Smith is one of the most recognizable sports commentators in the world, primarily known for his coverage of the National Basketball Association (NBA) on First Take on ESPN.

Smith often draws criticism for his opinions on the sport and recently found himself at the center of controversy following his comments about the city of Memphis and its safety for professional athletes.

“But there is an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You have got to clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They have told me,” Smith said on his show.

Stephen A. Smith is arguably ESPN’s biggest star, but not because he’s the most prepared, according to one former colleague.
Jason Fitz, a former ESPN sports radio host who was laid off in 2023 and has since joined Fox Sports. https://t.co/i3iAvvmTs3 via @MailSport

— Tamra M McDougall (@TamraMcDougall) June 21, 2025

Smith’s remarks did not sit well with former ESPN host Jason Fitz, who slammed him during an appearance on 92.2 ESPN. Fitz questioned Smith’s preparedness and credibility, asking how much he truly knows about Memphis to give such an opinion to a national audience.

“Now, Stephen A. Smith is busier than I ever was. We see him making content 24/7. So I guess my question to the people in Memphis is: how much of Memphis do you think he has actually absorbed? And I mean all of it—Memphis culture, Memphis basketball. What the hell does Stephen A. know about the city of Memphis? And the answer to that is only what his friends or the people on his phone tweet or text him. That’s all he knows. He is so separated from actual reality. What does he know?” Fitz said.

“Stephen A. walks, talks, lives, eats, and breathes stereotypes. That’s all he knows. Frankly, he has to talk about the city of Memphis because my guy hasn’t watched a single Memphis basketball game in probably three years. Stephen A. has a staff and an info group that feeds him information so he can have somewhat informed opinions—but they usually aren’t, because he works too hard to actually watch any games,” he added.

In addition to his polarizing views, Smith has also been in the news recently for his ongoing feud with the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James—recently revealing that “he doesn’t like him, and James doesn’t like him.”

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