Stephen A. Smith has publicly clarified the circumstances surrounding his departure from ESPN’s long-running pregame show, NBA Countdown, pushing back against the narrative that he was removed by the network.

Earlier this week, ESPN unveiled a “new-look NBA Countdown” lineup that notably did not include Smith, a fixture on the program for years and one of the most recognizable faces in sports media. The announcement sparked widespread coverage and speculation, with many reports framing his absence as a surprising omission.

Smith, however, made it clear that the decision was his own.

Speaking on his SiriusXM radio show, Smith explained that his exit from NBA Countdown was negotiated during contract talks with ESPN that began in June of last year and concluded in the spring. According to Smith, both sides agreed at that time that he would step away from the show—not because he was pushed out, but because his growing workload made the late-night studio commitment less appealing.

“I loved doing NBA Countdown,” Smith said. “But once the show ends, I still have a whole lot of responsibilities. I didn’t want to be in the studio until midnight on a regular basis. There’s no shade toward ESPN or my colleagues—this was simply about time and priorities.”

At 58, Smith remains one of ESPN’s most influential and highest-paid personalities. Earlier this year, he signed a five-year contract reportedly worth at least $100 million. That deal preserved his central role on First Take while reducing his involvement in other projects, a strategic shift that aligns with ESPN’s broader programming evolution.

NBA Countdown is now officially one of the areas where Smith’s responsibilities have been scaled back. ESPN announced that the revamped show will be hosted by Malika Andrews, alongside analysts Kendrick Perkins and former NBA head coach Michael Malone, with reporters Brian Windhorst and Shams Charania contributing coverage and insight.

Smith emphasized that stepping away from NBA Countdown has allowed him to focus more heavily on his daily obligations, including First Take and his expanding presence on SiriusXM, where he now hosts a political talk show in addition to sports programming. He has also begun appearing on Monday Night Countdown, a role he says he enjoys and would gladly take on more frequently if scheduling allowed.

“I’ve got a lot on my plate,” Smith said. “I’m always available to ESPN—once you’re part of the family, you’re part of the family. If they ever need me on NBA Countdown, I’ll show up. But this wasn’t some sudden decision or dramatic removal. This was negotiated well in advance.”

Smith also noted that ESPN’s NBA coverage has evolved, particularly with the presence of the highly acclaimed Inside the NBA crew. With veterans like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson leading the charge, Smith said the network is well covered without his constant presence.

“I’ve been covering the NBA for three decades,” Smith said. “That crew is the A-team. They don’t need me—but if they ever want me involved, I’m there.”

He went on to praise the new NBA Countdown lineup, calling Perkins “my brother,” Andrews “fabulous,” and Windhorst “exceptional,” while also commending Michael Malone’s basketball insight. Smith reiterated that his contract still includes designated days to appear on the show, should ESPN request it.

Beyond television and radio, Smith revealed that his professional commitments have expanded significantly over the past year. He now operates a production company developing both scripted and unscripted projects, including game shows and other entertainment ventures—opportunities that simply did not exist when his previous ESPN deal was in place.

In Smith’s view, the story surrounding his NBA Countdown exit has been overstated.

“This is a non-story,” he said. “Nothing happened to me. I negotiated flexibility because I have more to do. When I’m needed, I’m there. When I’m not, I’m working on building something else.”