The ongoing feud between Stephen A. Smith and Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has drawn sharp criticism from one of Smith’s own peers. Fox Sports analyst Nick Wright didn’t hold back, accusing the ESPN heavyweight of making everyone in sports media look bad with his confrontational style.
On his podcast What’s Wright?, Wright acknowledged Smith’s relentless work ethic but argued that the veteran commentator has lost perspective. The issue? Smith’s escalating war of words with Brown, which recently saw Smith issue what sounded like a veiled threat on First Take after Brown told him to retire. Wright warned that such behavior is out of step with the reality of their profession.
‘We Are the Ring Toss and the Dunk Tank’
Wright used a colorful analogy to drive home his point. “We are the ring toss and the dunk tank at the circus, but we’re not the lions jumping through flaming hoops,” he said. “We are added benefit to the main event.” The Fox pundit stressed that sports commentators are merely side attractions, not the main draw. “The audience appreciates us as side attractions to the big tent they came for.”
Wright argued that Smith has convinced himself that media personalities are “equal stars and equal of important to the people who are playing the actual games.” That belief, Wright said, is “delusional.” He noted that even fans who side with Smith on the Brown spat could eventually turn against him.
‘You’re the Only Guy Who Does It’
Perhaps Wright’s most pointed jab was that Smith is an outlier in how he handles athlete feuds. “Are you a late-50s, early-60-year-old man getting in a war of words with a 29-year-old?” Wright asked. “Is that what’s happening? And it makes all of us look bad. And also, here’s the other thing. You’re the only guy who does it.”
Wright contrasted Smith’s approach with his own recent experience. After calling LaMelo Ball a “clown,” Wright faced backlash but chose not to escalate. “When they fire back, even if it is in your opinion inaccurate, misleading, unfair, the answer is not to go to the mattresses and escalate,” he said. “The answer is to stand by what you said, have a smile on your face, and recognize people are here to see them.”
That restraint, Wright implied, is what separates most sports commentators from Smith’s more combative style. He recalled that Smith has a history of similar confrontations, including a 2015 warning to Kevin Durant not to make him an “enemy.” Wright joked that Smith sometimes sounds like a “mob boss” when going after players.
A Broader Debate About Sports Media
The clash between Smith and Brown has reignited discussions about the role of sports media in an era where athletes have their own platforms and are increasingly willing to push back. Wright’s comments echo a sentiment shared by many fans and analysts who believe that Stephen A. Smith's threat to Jaylen Brown crossed a line. The incident also highlights the fine line between passionate commentary and personal attacks.
While Smith’s bombastic style has made him one of the most recognizable faces in sports media, Wright argues that it comes at a cost. “There’s a lot of Stephen A. that I think is admirable and young people can learn from,” Wright said. “But these last few years, where he has convinced himself, it appears, that we the commentariat, we the critics, we the people who give opinions on the actual games, are equal stars and equal of important to the people who are playing the actual games, is delusional.”
For Wright, the lesson is clear: sports media should remember its place. The athletes are the main event, and commentators are just part of the supporting cast. When that balance is lost, everyone in the industry looks bad.
