Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Bertrand audio tape (Photos via YouTube and Twitter)
Stephen A. Smith has finally addressed the recently leaked audio of ESPN producer Ryan Bertrand slamming him as an “crazy” analyst.
Last week, Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe obtained a leaked tape from an anonymous source on Bertrand ripping Stephen A. Smith. In the video, Bertrand can be heard calling him an “angry black man…crazy,” and “paid “to create controversy.”
Bertrand also questioned why the 57-year-old personality can go on Fox News to talk about Gaza when he was “just talking about the Lakers three hours ago.” You can hear the clip 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
After the tape was leaked, folks noticed that Bertrand made his X/Twitter account private and deleted his LinkedIn profile. It is unclear at this time if ESPN is investigating the matter and/or if Bertrand may be reprimanded by the company.
Stephen A. Smith addressed the controversy for the first time during his appearance on Robert Griffin III’s “Outta Pocket” show. Smith said that he’s never actually met Bertrand, and he’s not the least bit worried about what the producer said:
“It made me laugh. I don’t give a damn about what that person said. First of all, I never met him, he’s never worked with me, I don’t know him, and I don’t know why he would say the things that he says. I don’t want to sound wrong about this, but he’s a production assistant. I mean, that’s the kind of stuff that people do on an entry level position in this business. And there’s a lot of work, a lot of hardships, a lot of things that they got to go through in climbing that ladder.
“Well, no disrespect, but at ESPN, I’m at the top of the heap. I’ve been in this business for 30 years; you think I’m gonna worry about what some new beginner is sitting there chirping about? I could care less. Not even a little bit. And most importantly, as I’ve told you in the past, people gonna hate. People gonna come for you. And the higher you climb, the more you’re exposed, and they’re gonna try to pull you down.”
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The leaked audio of Bertrand comes a month after it was reported that ESPN put executive editor Cristina Daglas on leave in January following multiple HR complaints. Specifics of the complaints remain unclear.
Stephen A. Smith Just Signed Lucrative Extension With ESPN
Stephen A. Smith (Photo by Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Two weeks before the audio came out, news broke that Smith signed a five-year contract extension with ESPN worth $100 million. The deal includes a reduced working schedule and gives Smith the freedom to discuss politics outside of ESPN.
ESPN Facing Major Scrutiny Over Their Head-Scratching Decision Following JuJu Watkins’ Devastating Injury
JuJu Watkins (Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images)
USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins was left screaming in agony after appearing to suffer a serious right knee injury in the first quarter of the Trojans’ Second Round game.
With just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter of the NCAA Tournament Second Round matchup between USC and Mississippi State, Watkins was attempting to drive towards the basket on a transition play before getting fouled by Chandler Prater.
She would grab for her right knee immediately.
Her pain was captured by ESPN.
It was a moment that was already devastating and heartbreaking, and not many people appreciated ESPN’s decision to continue to show close-up footage of JuJu Watkins in pain.
“I’ll just say, I don’t appreciate how long the camera stayed on Juju when she went down. Switch angles, go to commercial, something! But don’t continue broadcasting,” one fan said.
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“The camera zooming in on Juju crying in pain is so f–king unnecessary!! wtf ESPN!” a second fan added.
“ESPN’s choice of photo for JuJu’s injury is disgusting & blatantly insensitive. IK her girlies were worried about her in the moment, I just wish they would’ve huddled closer to her only/mainly for that reason. That weird USC treatment is the same on both coasts. I wonder why? 🤔” another fan stated.
“CAMERA PPL, STOP HOVERING OVER PLAYERS WHEN THEY ARE IN PAIN!!!!!” WNBA star Dearica Marie Hamby commented.
One final fan added: “And also replaying the injury. We got it. It’s unnecessary. It’s torturous. Not everything needs to be televised.”
Watkins is a back-to-back first-team AP All-American, finishing the regular season averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
JuJu Watkins Has A Long Recovery Ahead of Her
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: JuJu Watkins #12 of the USC Trojans defends and inbounds pass by Zakiyah Franklin #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Galen Center on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
USC star JuJu Watkins suffered a torn ACL during her team’s 96-59 win over No. 9 seed Mississippi State in the second round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament.
Watkins went down during the first quarter and was writhing on the floor in pain. It was so bad that she needed to be carried off the floor without putting any weight on her injured leg.
Watkins is likely to be out for nine months, which means she will miss a large part of the 2025 season.
