Howard Stern defends Stephen A. Smith’s instinct to divorce Serena Williams: ‘I would too’

After watching Serena Williams at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, Howard Stern and Stephen A. Smith have concluded she isn’t a worthy spouse.

Williams made a cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show Sunday evening, specifically during the song Not Like Us, which is also a diss track directed at his music rival Drake. And the tennis legend’s appearance garnered a lot of attention, not because of her dance moves, but because of who she used to date. Williams was romantically involved with Drake more than a decade ago.

Monday morning on First Take, Stephen A. Smith criticized Williams for seemingly still being concerned with trolling Drake, considering she’s been married to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian since 2017. Smith even went so far as to claim he would divorce Williams for the Super Bowl act, a hot take that Howard Stern was eager to co-sign Tuesday morning.

“He’s got a point. I hear what he’s saying,” Stern said. “She used to go out with Drake and by dissing him at the Super Bowl, it indicates she’s still living that whole scenario. He’s right. I agree with Stephen A.”

Robin Quivers wanted to make sure Stern knew what he was co-signing, claiming Smith said, “I would divorce that woman.” For context, here is the full quote from Smith, which certainly implies he would divorce Williams over her Super Bowl appearance.

Stephen A. Smith on Serena Williams’ cameo during the Super Bowl halftime show: “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass. ‘Cause clearly you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.” pic.twitter.com/uiYI2ltK4k

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 10, 2025

“If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass. ‘Cause clearly you don’t belong with me,” Smith said on Monday’s episode of First Take. “What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

And not only did Stern agree with Smith’s take, but he seemed jealous that the ESPN personality crafted it before he could.

“I would too. I think I would go along with that. Why not?” Stern asked. “Did it get him some press? Me too! Can someone put me on that article? Can someone put me in the article please? I can use some press.”

It got Smith plenty of press and we’re happy to grant Stern’s wish. Hopefully he’s willing to return the favor.