Stephen A. Smith is arguably the most popular sports personality in the world. The First Take host recently inked a five-year, 100-million-dollar contract with ESPN, solidifying his status as one of the most influential voices in sports media.
And although he’s conquered the sports world, could he have his eye set on something bigger, perhaps running for president?
Stephen A. Smith Running for President
Though he’s constantly denied the possibility of any political aspiration, the idea sparked discussion, particularly with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
While on his podcast, the Big Podcast with Shaq, the four-time NBA champion chimed in on the idea of himself potentially running for president, how well Smith would do in a debate, and even going as far as predicting who his vice president would be.
“In this world we live in, there are too many lefts and rights,” O’Neal said. “If you don’t do this, then you’re this. If you don’t do that, then you’re that. It’s just too much going.”
When co-host Adam Lefkoe asked if he would run for president, Shaq emphatically replied, “No,” stating that he would never run. However, he did entertain the idea of Smith running for president.
“He would give a great speech with those big a** words he be using,” Shaq Joked.
Lefkoe would press Shaq further on how he would do in a political debate.
“He would win,” Shaq said. “He would hit his opponent with the big word. If you ever hit someone with a big word and someone got to look it up, you got it”
The Diesel would say that the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson would be an ideal vice president for Smith.
Stephen A. Smith Political Aspirations
Smith’s potential political aspirations have become a hot topic since he revealed on The Stephen A. Smith Show a few months back that he believes he could win if he ran against the Democrats.
Smith also voiced his displeasure about the Democratic Party to Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
“The Democratic Party looks so pathetic after this election; I might entertain running. I just might change my mind one day. I doubt it, but I might. Because how much would it take to beat y’all? And Trump can’t run again,” he said.
Could a Stephen A. Smith presidential campaign happen? For now, it remains to be seen if he has what it takes to run and properly lead the United States. But it is a fun story to talk about nonetheless.