Stephen A. Smith is already one of the most ubiquitous voices in sports media, but CBS might be looking to make him even more unavoidable. Reports suggest the network has discussed bringing back the beloved '60 Minutes' segment 'A Few Good Minutes' — and Smith is one of the names in the mix.
According to Lachlan Cartwright, CBS has had preliminary conversations with Smith about taking over the slot once made famous by Andy Rooney. Tennis legend John McEnroe was also reportedly approached, hinting at a possible rotating cast of hosts rather than a single permanent voice.
The idea of Smith closing out the iconic newsmagazine with his signature rants has sparked a firestorm of criticism online. Fans are not just skeptical — they're outright hostile to the possibility.
Ben Koo of Awful Announcing didn't hold back: "ESPN decided that TV viewers didn’t want to see SAS on their NBA pregame show and talked themselves out of putting him on their MNF pregame show. And yet, CBS feels like SAS closing 60 Minutes is something their viewers want. This is such an own goal."
Social media was equally unforgiving. One user wrote, "Nobody, literally NOBODY, wants this." Another joked, "I didn’t think it possible but I think I’d rather watch 60 Minutes with Pat McAfee than this idea." A third simply declared, "Another reason not to watch CBS."
Smith's schedule is already packed. He's in the middle of a $100 million extension with ESPN, where he anchors 'First Take' and pops up across the network's programming. He also signed a three-year, $36 million deal with SiriusXM, hosting a daily show plus a weekly politics and pop culture program called 'Straight Shooter.'
Adding 'A Few Good Minutes' would be a major addition, but it's unclear if Smith would even have the time. The backlash, though, might be enough to give CBS pause. After all, the network is reportedly also exploring new basketball broadcast ventures with Smith, so they're clearly not shy about expanding his brand.
Smith has never been one to shy away from controversy — he recently warned the WNBA that "people don't like you" — but this idea might be a step too far even for him. The question now is whether CBS will listen to the fans or push forward with a plan that seems to have almost no supporters.
For now, nothing is official. But if the network does go through with it, they'll have to brace for a public relations nightmare that could rival some of the biggest sports ownership controversies in recent memory.
