NYC Radio: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Headed To SiriusXM

Stephen A. Smith

It was just a few months again in May, when SiriusXM's Chris (Mad Dog) Russo said he was unable to find a black host “who is worthy of doing a national (sports) talk (radio) show.”

According to the NY Daily News, it appears the search is over.

Stephen A. Smith will soon leave ESPN-98.7 FM and take his verbal stylings to SXM’s “MDR,” where he will host his own show, according to satellite radio sources. Smith currently co-hosts a 1 p.m.-3 p.m. program with Ryan Ruocco on 98.7.

The sources said there was no consideration of pairing SAS with Russo. Smith’s new show will probably air from 1 p.m.-3 p.m., which will put him in direct competition with Ruocco on ESPN 98.7. Smith would serve as a lead-in to Russo’s “Mad Dog Unleashed” soiree and force SXM to juggle its current “MDR” lineup.

In his appearance on ESPN'S First Take on Friday, Smith went on a rant that was interpreted by many to mean that women are sometimes to blame for domestic violence. The statements sparked instant reaction across social media, including from Smith’s ESPN co-worker Michelle Beadle.

Smith later took to Twitter and apologized in a rambling series of tweets. Hours later, he issued another statement via Twitter.

My series of tweets a short time ago is not an adequate way to capture my thoughts so I am using a single (cont) http://t.co/vkOIFbCGeB
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2014

“I understand why my comments could be taken another way,” he posted. “I should have done a better job articulating my thoughts and I sincerely apologize.”