Stephen A. Smith’s political future has been teased for years, but at least one former presidential candidate believes it will actually happen.
Earlier this week, Smith was profiled by Ben Strauss in The Washington Post, where ESPN’s foremost personality sort of downplayed the idea that he could run for office.
“The only office that would do it for me is the presidency of the United States,” he told Strauss. “And I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hell the American people would ever vote for me.”
That can’t be real, there’s no way someone with an ego the size of Smith’s doesn’t believe they would be able to get votes. And there’s at least one notable political figure who disagrees with Smith, the 55th governor of New Jersey, former presidential candidate and ex-friend of Donald Trump, Chris Christie. Even though Smith downplayed a political run, Christie believes it might happen.
“Either party would be foolish not to be willing to talk to him,” Christie said. “I don’t think it’s imminent, but will he run someday? I think it’s more likely than not that he would.”
Two years ago, Smith teased the idea of running for president multiple times on First Take. He also acknowledged being approached by former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell about running for Senate nearly a decade ago. Smith went on to become the face of ESPN and the architect of this current version of First Take.
One thing that’s clear about Smith, sports is not his end game. His end game might include sports, but Smith is not shy about wanting something bigger than being known as the face of First Take and ESPN. Whether that end game is hosting ABC’s late-night show, growing his production company, running for president, or a combination of it all, Smith’s career aspirations are bigger than what sports can offer.
