Stephen A. Smith (Photos via Imagn Images)
A new alleged leak audio catches ESPN producer Ryan Bertrand making critical comments about one of the network’s marquee talents, Stephen A. Smith.
Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe claims that an anonymous source provided O’Keefe Media Group with an audio tape of Bertrand voicing disparaging remarks about Stephen A. Smith.
In the video, Bertrand says that Smith “plays the angry black man on TV.” Bertrand also slams Smith for going on Fox News to talk about Gaza, questioning what he knows about Gaza when he was “just talking about the Lakers three hours ago.”
Bertrand then says that ESPN staffers think the 57-year-old Stephen A. Smith is “crazy” and simply paid just “to create controversy.”
You can listen to the full audio tape below:
ESPN LEAKS: OMG Obtains Audio of @ESPN Producer Calling @stephenasmith an “Angry Black Man,” Says Staff “Think He’s Crazy” and “Has No Idea” About Politics
Amid Smith’s ongoing discussions about the Middle East, leaked audio reveals an ESPN producer questioning his credibility… pic.twitter.com/a0twbLJFPa
— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) March 21, 2025
As noted by Awful Announcing, Ryan Bertrand has since deleted his LinkedIn account and made his X/Twitter account private. Neither ESPN, Bertrand or Smith have commented on the matter thus far.
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Smith has been with the Worldwide Leader in Sports since 2003, where he continues to host the popular “First Take” program.
Stephen A. Smith Just Signed A New Contract With ESPN
Stephen A. Smith (Photos via Twitter and Imagn Images)
With Smith’s current contract set to expire later this year, he and ESPN moved quickly to reach an agreement on an extension. Smith signed a five-year pact worth $100 million, allowing him to work a reduced schedule while discussing politics on other networks outside of ESPN.
Smith is a polarizing sports media personality, but his $100 million deal shows just how much ESPN values him. He’s always been a ratings sensation for the network, and staffers like Bertrand not being fond of him doesn’t diminish his importance to ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith Challenges Donald Trump & JD Vance To A Debate On Live TV
Stephen A. Smith (via ESPN)
Stephen A. Smith has been one of the top sports analysts for years, and there is a very clear reason for that. He is so animated and stern in his stances that it is pretty difficult to change his mind on most of the topics he discusses.
Smith has done many things during his career, and his most recent endeavor is one of the most risky. The current ESPN analyst and podcast host is now trying his hand at political analysis, which is difficult for anyone with a big name.
Since now is one of the most trying times in the United States of America, and many people are finding it difficult to agree with President Trump’s many decisions, it’s not hard to make headlines for the guy.
Stephen A. Smith is one of the best at making headlines. He did that on his most recent appearance on ESPN, where he attempted to call out Donald Trump and JD Vance to a public debate on the administration’s stance on DEI.
Stephen A. Smith Challenges Trump And Vance
Stephen A. Smith (Photo By/Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Donald Trump has made his stance on DEI, or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, very clear. Since it is meant to bring the aforementioned adjectives to the workplace, many people are in favor of it; however, Trump’s administration is not.
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“Stephen A. Smith is calling you out on national television. I’d love for you to sit down with the cameras rolling and try to defend this. It’s ridiculous,” the analyst said during a live broadcast on ESPN. Not only did Smith call out Trump, but he also called out vice president JD Vance.
While it is improbable that either of the two will respond to Smith’s call for a public debate, it would be pretty interesting to see the two parties go at it. Who knows, we may even see a Trump vs. Zelenskyy 2.0.
