Stephen A. Smith has addressed the layoffs at ESPN.
Days after ESPN let go of around 20 on-air talents as the network has been undergoing several rounds of cost cuts, Smith discussed the matter Monday on his FanDuel show.
“ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent … friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” he began on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”
“They deserved better than the times we’re living in.”
Smith continued to say that he’s got a “lot of love” for Jalen Rose, who was part of Friday’s layoffs, and called him a “brilliant basketball mind.”
“Jeff Van Gundy’s another,” Smith said. “Outstanding, brilliant basketball analyst for ESPN for years. I could say I’m gonna miss him but I just can’t imagine he’s gonna be out of work for long. I’m sure I’ll see him on-air doing his thing. Jeff Van Gundy’s been a Hall of Fame analyst and commentator.”
Smith gave shoutouts to former “SportsCenter” anchors Neil Everett and Ashley Brewer as well.
“My brother, Keyshawn Johnson,” Smith continued. “We’ve been friends for over 20 years. I’m sad to see him go. What he’s done for my life, just being a big brother and a friend to me, I love him to death.”
Smith called David Pollack, who was on “College GameDay,” an “outstanding college football analyst.”
He also gave a shoutout to NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, who was let go.
“I don’t want to mention everybody because I don’t want to forget anybody’s name,” Smith said.
“But those names certainly come to mind.”
Although some folks on Twitter thought Smith omitted Max Kellerman, his former co-host on “First Take,” Smith did pay tribute to him on his FanDuel show.
“I’m even gonna miss Max Kellerman,” Smith said. “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.’ I 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.”
The Post’s Andrew Marchand first reported the news of ESPN’s layoffs, noting the network informed all of its employees Friday morning of the impending cuts on an internal website.
“NFL Countdown” analysts Matt Hasselbeck and Steve Young were part of the cuts, along with veteran host Suzy Kolber, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, radio host Jason Fitz, host Jordan Cornette, baseball writer Joon Lee and NBA reporter Nick Friedell.
Veteran reporter Gene Wojciechowski confirmed his departure from ESPN on Monday night.
“June 30 was my last day at ESPN. I’m indebted to every editor, producer, director, crew member, researcher, and colleague during that 25 1/2-year run. Grateful to all those who let us parachute into their lives and trust us with their stories. No Plan B yet. For now, just thanks,” he tweeted.
