Stephen A. Smith looking on during 2021 NBA Finals.MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 11: ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith during Game Three of the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum on July 11, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The post immediately sparked speculation among fans and media insiders about Smith’s future at ESPN. Known for being one of the network’s most powerful and recognizable voices, any hint of a potential exit sent shockwaves through the sports world.

While Smith didn’t add a caption to the post, the timing and the story’s headline were enough to get people talking. With Shannon Sharpe’s growing presence on First Take and Smith’s contract discussions reportedly looming, some are beginning to wonder if ESPN could be preparing for a major transition. For now, Smith is keeping everyone guessing — just as he intended.

Stephen A. Smith hinted at the idea of leaving ESPN with some recent social media activity.

On his X (previously known as “Twitter”) account, Smith shared a link to a story from Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports with a headline that read, “Shannon Sharpe Positioned As Perfect Successor To Stephen A. Smith.”

Many are interpreting this as a hint from Smith that he could be leaving ESPN in the not-so-distant future. According to McCarthy’s report, Smith has two years left on his deal with the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Sharpe left FS1 earlier this summer after co-hosting “Undisputed” alongside Skip Bayless for nearly seven years. Bayless previously worked with Smith on “First Take” before leaving for FS1 back in 2016.

Smith acknowledged back in July that he could be part of ESPN’s long list of layoffs. The words from Smith surprised many since the 55-year-old draws huge ratings for ESPN’s “First Take” program.

Earlier this summer, ESPN conducted several rounds of layoffs. This included notable talents like Suzy Kolber, Jalen Rose, Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson, Max Kellerman, Steve Young, Matt Hasselbeck and Todd McShay.

Back in February, Disney CEO Bob Iger warned that they would be looking to cut 7,000 jobs, with the idea of saving $5.5 billion for the company.

Smith had expressed interest in replacing Pat Sajak as the host of “Wheel of Fortune”, but it was quickly announced that Ryan Seacrest will replace Sajak when the latter steps down in September 2024.

Given that just about every WNBA press conference these days includes questions from reporters who are speaking virtually, these reporters have to be vigilant about what their microphones pick up. If not, something like what happened when a question was being posed to Caitlin Clark during a May 8 press conference can occur.

At one point in Thursday’s post-practice Indiana Fever press conference, Clark was being asked a fashion-related question by Eliza Huber, a reporter from Who What Wear. When the press conference’s moderator said for Eliza to speak, someone else present in the presser (presumably virtually) could be heard singing, “Elizaaa!” before Huber’s question began.

This clearly caught the attention of Clark, who raised her eyebrows and turned to her teammate DeWanna Bonner to laugh while Huber asked her question.