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:
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.”
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.
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