EYL #287 Stephen A. Smith On Learning From Being Fired From ESPN, TV Contracts, & The Business of New Media

In this compelling episode of Earn Your Leisure, Stephen A. Smith shares invaluable insights from his extensive career in sports journalism:

🏈 **Stephen A. Smith on College Sports:** Discussing the evolution of college sports, Stephen appreciates the changes, noting the historical exploitation of athletes by the NCAA.

🏀 **Coaching Challenges:** Stephen reveals why many college coaches are leaving due to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) complications.

📰 **Media Relations:** Exploring the dynamics between current players and the media, Stephen explains the lack of close relationships.

🌟 **Impactful Presence:** Annually bringing in 2 billion views for ESPN, Stephen A. Smith discusses his significant impact on sports broadcasting.

🔄 **Life-Changing Moments and Mistakes:** From a mistake that nearly cost him $600K and his career, to the firing that taught him crucial business lessons, Stephen opens up about his journey.

🔑 **Corporate Strategies:** Stephen offers advice on navigating corporate environments and shares how Black individuals can strategically advance in their careers.

🏀 **Basketball Legends:** Was LeBron's journey tougher than Jordan's? Plus, Stephen reflects on his close relationship with Allen Iverson during his time as a beat writer in Philly.

🎙️ **Journalistic Integrity and Influence:** From not being able to use his name initially for his podcast to emphasizing the importance of integrity in journalism, Stephen covers it all.

🤝 **Supporting Others:** Hear how Stephen prioritized elevating others and gave Shannon Sharpe a platform on First Take after Sharpe's departure from Fox Sports.

Don’t miss out on these powerful insights! Premiering today at 1 PM EST on the Earn Your Leisure YouTube channel and all podcast platforms. Subscribe and tune in for a deep dive into the business side of sports and media with Stephen A. Smith.

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