Stephen A. Smith recently used his podcast Straight Shooter to publicly air grievances against former colleagues Michelle Beadle and Cari Champion — pushing issues about legacy, credit, and portrayal in the media into the spotlight. (Source: New York Post) 

The Trigger

The drama ignited when Beadle, in an on-air podcast appearance, revealed that she “prays for [Smith’s] downfall” following his endorsement deal with a mobile gaming company—which she claimed was ethically questionable. (Source: New York Post)

Shortly thereafter, Champion entered the fray via social media, referencing past controversies involving Smith. In a video, she recalled being penalised on the show First Take when Smith made remarks tied to the Ray Rice domestic-violence case. Champion questioned Smith’s consistency, asking:

“Do you have that same smoke for [Beadle] that you have for [others]?” (Source: Hindustan Times)

Smith’s Response

On his podcast, Smith answered hard. To Beadle he said:

“You wanted my attention, you got it… I don’t know you.” (Source: New York Post) 

To Champion, his tone was more intense:

“I’ve shown you nothing but love. What are you talking about? You were hired at ‘First Take’ in large part because of me.” (Source: Awful Announcing) 

Smith went on to claim he essentially helped Champion’s career, saying she couldn’t have reached that show without his support. That line of argument, he admitted, is central to how he felt wronged. (Source: Vibe)

Champion Pushes Back

Champion didn’t stay silent. On her own platform, she contested Smith’s narrative, saying she worked hard long before he intervened. She took issue with him positioning himself as the benefactor of her career and asserted that someone else — one Gerry Matalon — was responsible for her move to ESPN. (Source: Awful Announcing) 

Context and Legacy Issues

This is not just about personal slights. It taps into broader questions about media power dynamics, who gets credit for whom, and how careers of women and people of colour are framed in sports broadcasting. Champion recalled times on First Take when she felt ignored or dismissed by Smith and another co-host. (Source: Hindustan Times) 

Meanwhile, Smith’s past controversies add another layer: his 2014 comments about Ray Rice’s domestic-violence case sparked public outcry and are still referenced by his critics. (Source: TIME)

What This Means Going Forward

Smith’s decision to confront these former colleagues publicly signals that he considers the matter serious — not just a minor dispute. He is unwilling to let this narrative go unchecked. At the same time, Beadle and Champion’s willingness to call him out shows how grievances that were once internal or behind-the-scenes are now playing out openly in media.

Given the visibility of all three figures in sports media, this feud will likely have ripple effects: it could influence how networks manage talent relationships, how public figures talk about each other, and how credit and agency are distributed in media careers.