Stephen A. Smith reveals Kenny Smith part of ownership group bidding for Las Vegas NBA team

As Charles Barkley announces looming retirements for himself and Ernie Johnson, it might be Kenny Smith who leaves Inside the NBA first.

The NBA is currently reviewing three finalist groups bidding for ownership of the Las Vegas expansion team with an expected price tag between $12 and $13 billion for the franchise and new arena. One of those groups is led by Steve Apostolopoulos and Marc Lasry. And according to Stephen A. Smith, Kenny Smith is part of that same ownership group.

Smith revealed the news Thursday morning on First Take while discussing the NBA’s current expansion plans, rooting for his ESPN colleague to get an opportunity to be part of running a franchise.

“I’m rooting for my brother [Kenny “The Jet” Smith] and his group to get the Las Vegas franchise, and that is what I came on First Take to say this morning.”@stephenasmith weighs in on Las Vegas’ pursuit of an NBA franchise 👀 pic.twitter.com/uV84zvKF4n

— First Take (@FirstTake) October 1, 2026

“Now I’m hearing a lot of things, and I’m hearing he’s a part of that,” he said of Kenny Smith. “And if he’s a part of that, obviously you’re talking about somebody who I consider to be a brilliant basketball mind that would probably be your president of basketball operations. If you’re smart, that’s exactly what the hell he would be because Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith needs to be running a basketball franchise.”

Stephen A. Smith added that when he learned Kenny Smith was involved, he immediately sought to bring it up on-air to make a public plea to Adam Silver and the NBA in support of his friend. While Smith praised the fact that Bob Iger is now an NBA owner, he added, “the next best thing is the possibility of Kenny ‘the Jet’ Smith being part of this ownership group and running basketball operations and being in the NBA.”

“I’m looking at this and I’m getting very excited at the possibility,” Stephen A. continued. “And I wanted to come on national television right now, to let everybody know… you got billionaires, you got the dollars, and you got Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith. I would love it if that happens. I’m rooting for my brother and his group to get the Las Vegas franchise.”

SAS recently touted Kenny Smith for the University of North Carolina head men’s basketball coach job that ultimately went to Michael Malone. And he also previously attempted to sell James Dolan on hiring Kenny Smith to run the New York Knicks. The First Take host really seems to want Smith to have a job in basketball more hands-on than being a TV analyst. And considering their close relationship, Stephen A. must know Kenny Smith’s ultimate goal is to be coaching or running a franchise.

Tom Brady has proved there’s a path to being part of an ownership group while still working in media. But if Smith is going to be president of basketball operations, he would have to give up his Inside the NBA gig. Forget about the obvious conflict-of-interest concerns, but the job of running an NBA franchise is also too demanding for a president of basketball operations to hold two gigs.

As Inside the NBA gets set for its second season on ESPN, they’ll do so with the futures of Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith very much in question. Maybe ESPN is just gearing up for an NBA pregame show featuring Shaq, Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee.