Stephen A. Smith is used to giving hot takes. This time, he’s the one taking the heat.
The ESPN star and political commentator is locked in an increasingly heated public battle with the National Association of Black Journalists after the organization presented him with its 2026 “Thumbs Down Award” during its annual convention in Atlanta.
NABJ said Smith has demonstrated a “recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media,” arguing that some of his commentary reinforces harmful narratives and conflicts with the organization’s commitment to fair and responsible representation. (TheWrap)
Smith was not having it.
Shortly after the award was announced, he fired back on social media, calling it “Christmas arriving early” and warning NABJ, “You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake … I’m coming.” (Fox News)
He later devoted roughly 45 minutes of his Straight Shooter show to the controversy, calling the award a “personal hit job” and blasting NABJ for publicly accusing him without contacting him beforehand. Smith maintains that his record shows years of supporting and advocating for Black women and argues that his willingness to criticize prominent Black Democrats may be part of the reason he was targeted. (Awful Announcing)
NABJ President Errin Haines isn’t backing away from the decision. She has characterized the award as an issue of accountability, saying the organization must be willing to challenge powerful people — even those considered friends of NABJ. (TheGrio)
The debate has since exploded across social media and within Black media circles. Some critics agree with NABJ that Smith’s tone toward prominent Black women deserves scrutiny, while others believe the organization went too far or failed to give Smith an opportunity to respond before publicly condemning him. Former ESPN personality Jemele Hill has argued that the issue isn’t simply that Smith criticizes Black women, but that his tone can be noticeably different when he does. (Axios)
And Smith appears nowhere close to letting the controversy die.
He has vowed not to back down, saying the criticism has only made him more determined to speak his mind.
For now, the “Thumbs Down” award has accomplished one thing for sure: it has sparked a much bigger conversation about journalism, accountability, politics and the responsibility that comes with having one of the loudest voices in media.
