Split image of Stephen A. Smith and Mina KimesStephen A. Smith and Mina Kimes (Photos via Imagn Images)

ESPN analyst Mina Kimes has apologized to fans, admitting she did not do her homework after helping her colleague, Stephen A. Smith, promote a dubious Solitaire app.

Kimes was one of several ESPN faces who posted sponsored ads for the Papaya Solitaire Cash game backed by Stephen A., with the company launching a challenge to #BeatStephen following his NBA Finals controversy.

She joined Kendrick Perkins, Laura Rutledge, Dan Orlovsky, and Ros Gold-Onwude in tweeting about the game last week.

As it turns out, Papaya is facing a federal lawsuit for allegedly cheating users out of their money, having employed AI bots to manipulate outcomes. The whole reason for Smith’s involvement stems from his getting caught on camera playing Solitaire during the NBA Finals.

Where Mina is concerned, she claims to be embarrassed because she helped him promote something now deemed a scam.

“Getting in practice before the game instead of during it @stephenasmith. Anyone else think they can #BeatStephen—try at @solitairecash and post your score,” she posted on November 5.

Mina Kimes Confesses To “Colossal F**k-Up”

Mina Kimes in dressMina Kimes (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
She has since deleted the tweet, issuing an apology after widespread backlash.

“The truth is: I didn’t spend any time looking into the whole thing, and that’s 100% on me,” she wrote.

“Thought it was just typical marketing work, and I’m deeply embarrassed I didn’t vet it. A colossal f**k-up on my part.”

Kimes also claimed via BlueSky that she hasn’t “been paid a dime (we’ll see what happens now!!) but [if] I do I’m certainly giving it away.”

Orlovsky and Rutledge also deleted their tweets, having faced criticism themselves.

Front Office Sports first uncovered the lawsuit, reporting that Papaya was battling a federal case over claims of falsely marketing “games of skill” rigged with “unbeatable” AI bots.

“It is undisputed that Papaya used tailored bots to control the outcomes of tournaments,” a judge wrote, per FOS.

“By doing so, Papaya could prevent players from winning – or allow them to win — no matter how they performed in the game.”