Stephen A. Smith. Stephen A. Smith breaks silence over criticism that his political views are interfering

with the $20 million a year ESPN role, okay? interfering with his $20 million year ESPN role.

What are they talking about? Okay. Let me read this to you. So the first they co-signed a $100 million

deal with the network earlier, but Smith has also become increasingly political, even floating a possible run for president.

In addition to his work with ESPN, Smith's prominent figure at Series XM, hosting a daily sports show and weekly political show while he also hosted on his YouTube show.

On Friday, Smith was asked whether he ever worries that his ESPN fans might be turned off by his political views. But the host said he believes that in fact his approach turns people on and is one of the reasons why his audience has grown. I don't worry about it because first of all, it's politics, it's sports. Rob, do you have that clip? I'm looking for it. See if it's on Twitter. I'm trying to see where the stories is Daily Mail.

They probably would have that in that story as well. I don't bring it to ESPN. Thirdly, most importantly, I think it's important to remember that I'm a reasonable human being. What I do when I'm talking politics is that is what I do when I'm doing everything. I let you know how I feel and where I stand based on the facts that I presented to me, but I'm open-minded to be corrected, which means I'm willing to engage in dialogue, and I'm willing to talk with the other people, talk with people, and hear what they have to say. Adam, your thoughts on the story. I mean, Stephen A. Smith is one of the most necessary voices we have in America. And I love what he said here. He's reasonable. He's willing to engage with everybody. And if he's wrong, he'll say he's wrong. Now, Stephen A. Smith, a lot of this fodder is coming after he signed this massive contract. Because we've become friends with Stephen A. Smith. I got a massive respect from him. I feel like he bit his tongue for a while as much as he could, even during

political season as that contract negotiations were playing out, which felt like years in the making.

But do I think he's running for any form of government? Zero percent. That's my opinion. Could

be wrong.

Zero is almost like saying 100%. I don't see it. I don't see it. I don't see it. I don't see it. I don't think he's going to do this. I think he's a necessary voice in what he's doing. He's a sports guy first, but also recognizes that his voice carries a lot of weight. So he can glean in on politics.

He can glean in on current events.

He can talk about culture.

He's got a very good... carries a lot of weight. So he can glean in on politics. He can glean in on current events.

He can talk about culture. He's got a very good ticker on what the American public stands for.

And I'm a full advocate of saying what he has to say.

Vinnie.

Listen, I'm going to be real. I used to be the biggest sports maniac whatever like it's the the dichotomy of

something that's so if you think about it in the scheme of life and the world and sports is meaningless

it's like like duck duck goose with kids could be on ESPN it's not going to change the outcome

of the world what he's doing on the political side, I actually love because to me

he's had this like revelation. He's actually seen what's going on. He actually complained on his show.

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