Stephen A. Smith Interested in Eventually Taking Late Night TV Role

The sports commentator could make a career pivot in the near future.

Stephen A. Smith has dominated the morning television scene in the sports world for over a decade. Could he be vying for a late night spot in the near future?

Jimmy Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late night hit television show Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, recently stated that his current contract—set to expire in 2026—could be his last before retirement.

Smith, whose contract with ESPN ends in July 2025, could be the next man up.

“I’d be very interested in succeeding him,” Smith told Front Office Sports reporter Michael McCarthy on Wednesday.

Smith also told McCarthy he would only make the move if his Disney bosses asked him to follow in Kimmel’s footsteps.

Smith has been a commentator on ESPN’s First Take since 2012, co-starring with Skip Bayless, Max Kellerman and a variety of other hosts and analysts over the years. 

A move to a late night television comedy show would be quite a career pivot, but Smith has shown plenty of versatility in recent years on his own podcast.