ESPN Content Chief: “No Meaningful Conversations” With Stephen A. Smith About Presidential Run

ESPN content material leader Burke Magnus mentioned he’s had “no meaningful conversations” with high-paid host Stephen A. Smith about his said hobby in exploring a run for president in 2028.

Speaking to newshounds at a press match targeted at the Disney sports activities department’s forthcoming streaming carrier, Magnus was once requested in regards to the state of affairs of probably the most community’s most sensible personalities hitting the marketing campaign path. “It would be a new one for me,” the veteran programmer mentioned with a grin.

“What his aspirations are beyond [ESPN], we haven’t had any meaningful conversations about,” Magus mentioned. “As I’m fond of saying, all agreements are flexible enough to accommodate that kind of thing. But I presumed if that happened, he would be too busy to continue hosting First Take.”

After announcing a month in the past that he was once “leaving all the doors open” to in quest of the Democratic nomination, Smith has since ramped up the rhetoric, announcing he has “no choice” given his objections to Donald Trump‘s initial three months in office. Smith just two months ago agreed to a 5-year, $100 million contract extension to continue as one of ESPN’s most sensible hosts.

Magnus was once requested whether or not, if Smith did finally end up operating for president, ESPN would want to take him off the air. “Of course,” he mentioned.

The exec added that Smith is “extremely talented, essential for what we do, a critical part of our content offering. But he’s got interests that lie well beyond sports. So what I’m most excited about is we were able to come to an agreement that gives him flexibility to explore some of these other areas while continuing to be really one of those trend-setting voices in sports specifically.”