Stephen A. Smith: Presidency Bid or Ultimate Pundit Play?

Stephen A. Smith: Presidency Bid or Ultimate Pundit Play?

4 minute read
Published: 4/15/2025

In a surprising twist of fate, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is contemplating a presidential run, citing a lack of Democratic candidates and his pastor's encouragement, despite having zero political ambitions and opinions about both parties that could fill a stadium.

Having caught the attention of billionaires and officials, Smith’s potential candidacy raises eyebrows as he navigates through his self-proclaimed 'disgust' for both major political parties. While he offers a remarkable critique of the Democrats’ leadership and electoral strategies, it's hard to tell if he's serious or just trying to elevate his brand—after all, who doesn’t want to see a sports commentator take the White House in a year where it’s open game for anyone not currently sitting on the throne?

Smith's recent statements reveal his unfiltered view of the political landscape. 'I have no choice but to consider this,' he admitted, as he shuffled through the pool of candidates that, according to him, lack the necessary charisma to rally the country. It’s not every day an outspoken commentator claims he’s contemplating the ultimate job exit strategy on a whim, but we live in extraordinary times, don’t we?

He’s found an unlikely source of encouragement in his pastor, who seems to believe that stepping up as a potential leader is the honorable thing to do. Perhaps he offers sermons that are more motivational than the Democratic Party's recent press releases, which often leave supporters feeling as motivated as a child trying to guess the ending of a particularly dull book.

Smith didn't hold back when critiquing the Democrats, labeling their campaign strategies as outdated, emphasizing that focusing on subjects like woke culture and abortion rights might be popular on Twitter, but it won't translate into votes. Just imagine him in a debate: 'You see, folks, taking a hard stance on cultural issues is vital. If only we used our energies solving real life problems like trying to find someone worthy to lead us...or fixing the potholes.'

Voters may take comfort in knowing that he's not blind to the Republicans either. During his remarks, he noted disillusionment with the current administration, especially when it comes to the handling of tariffs—surely a global issue that can unite us all, providing Smith with a chance to air grievances from both sides. 'Trump’s leadership has been nothing but a series of misfires,’ Smith said with a shrug, proving once again he’s as unyielding in his critique as he is in his love for a good sports debate.

Looking ahead, the 2028 election allows Smith to play the long game. The absence of an incumbent candidate presents an open opportunity, one ripe for the plucking. He might not know the first thing about politicking, but one could say he understands the art of positioning himself quite well. If nothing else, he’d likely bring a different flavor to the daily White House press briefings, perhaps focused on box scores rather than the dull minutia of legislative processes.

While some political nerds might bemoan the thought of a sports figure entering the fray, it's worth paying attention to Smith’s comments about his previous vote for Kamala Harris. In a rare moment of sincerity, he confessed that his choice was more a mistake than a triumph, leaving many curious about how he would approach endorsements if he did make a run—would he seek out support from the sporting elite, or would he hire a social media company to navigate a swaggy TikTok campaign?

Ultimately, as Smith leaves the door ajar for a run, one can only wonder if it’s a serious consideration or just him playing the part of provocative sports pundit extraordinaire, relishing in the limelight while pondering the next big topic for his show. Whether he hops on the campaign trail or remains comfortably in the studio, his antics are sure to keep audiences and political analysts alike guessing.

As the stage is set for an intriguing political season, where viral moments may outweigh experience, one thing is certain: if Smith does decide to run, the debates would be anything but dull. Forget political jargon; we’d be treated to a slew of sharp witticisms, masterful rhetoric, and perhaps, an overly enthusiastic statistic about which state has the most championship titles, overseeing an audience that is both horrified and entertained.

While the possibilities are endless and the thought of a sports commentator in a position of power might spark debate, only time will tell if Stephen A. Smith has the skills to transition from shouting about sports into flipping through policy proposals. And if not? Well, at least he’s kept us all entertained during these uncertain political times.