TAKE IT HAPPEN
First Take fans claim ‘game changer’ analyst sitting in for absent Stephen A. Smith should be new ‘NFL lead’ on ESPN
Smith has hit out at critics as he negotiates a new deal
VIEWERS are desperate for Courtney Cronin to be given a more prominent role.
The ESPN NFL reporter, 33, has been standing in for Stephen A. Smith on First Take.
2
2
Cronin is impressing with her football knowledge, and fans want her to be given more air time.
"Going to scream this on my deathbed but Andraya Carter should be a NBA lead for ESPN and Courtney Cronin for the NFL," posted on on X.
"Ball knowers should not be treated like second class while buffoons yelling s**t with no substance get promoted."
"CC = game-changer," added another after Cronin shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the set.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Molly Qerim returned to First Take yesterday after a lengthy vacation.
She was joined by Chicago Bears reporter Cronin and radio host Harry Douglas.
Smith is still on vacation as he waits to sign a new contract with ESPN.
He could become the network's first $100 million man as he seeks a bumper pay rise.
Most read in American Football
Smith made an appearance on The OGs Podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike MIller, and revealed that he thinks professional athletes are out to get him.
"I’m gonna tell you something and I ain’t say it publicly, but I’m gonna say this now," Stephen A. said.
First Take star slams controversial Paul Skenes decision and says ‘this is why MLB won’t ever be on scale of NBA or NFL’
"You think I haven’t noticed that the steam has elevated since everybody knows my contract is coming up?
"You think I’m that stupid? You think I don’t know what they’re trying to do?"
Stephen A. shared that he thinks people are trying to coax him into saying something that could derail his career.
"What these cats are trying to do is trying to bait me so I will do something stupid, so I will get in the way of my dollars," he continued.
"Now, it’s as obvious as the sky is blue on a sunny day in Miami.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
"But here’s the real question, why would you want to do that? Why?
"I have never worked less than 320 days a year in my career at ESPN or in this business. I show up.
"I’ve been No. 1 for 12 years in the morning on First Take.
"In terms of ratings and revenue, I’ve been a No. 1 talent for a decade.
Read More on The US Sun
"This ain’t about ESPN, this is about the cats coming at me…I’m talking about the cynics and the critics.
"As hard as I work, as much as I work, along with the results I provide, if I don’t get paid, who’s getting paid?"