The latest developments at ESPN have made the network subject to some mockery. Stephen A. Smith, however, is not here for it. He recently responded to an old comment by Charles Barkley in the latest episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show. The Chuckster has repeatedly claimed he would never take a broadcasting job at ESPN. This particular comment might have irked ESPN’s Employee of the Month to fire back. However, more people seem to agree with Barkley, including Smith’s former colleague.

ESPN fired many on-air favorites in the 2023 layoffs. Smith slammed the network in support of his former colleagues. But when Barkley’s old comments surfaced, Smith defended the impact of ESPN and his flagship show, First Take. Another veteran sportscaster had a differing opinion, though.

Mike Hill agrees with Charles Barkley

Former Philadelphia 76ers star, Charles Barkley has a definitive broadcast home at TNT as an ‘Inside Guy.’ And his cushy job at Inside the NBA makes him comfortable enough to roast a rival network. Where most broadcasters would avoid mentioning another network on air, nothing stopped The Round Mound of Rebound from saying, “Not gonna work me like a dog and not pay me” in 2022.

His co-hosts, including Shaquille O’Neal, all-out belly-laughed at that statement. They probably agreed with him at that time. This video clip surfaced again in June 2023, when ESPN laid off en masse. Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose were the NBA analysts let go. Stephen A. Smith claimed he could be getting the axe too, but he remains at ESPN.

As Barkley’s old clip circulated, Smith couldn’t stand for it. He took to his eponymous channel to defend the legacy of ESPN’s First Take which he has been hosting since 2012. “First Take is the culture,” he declared. He went on to say that the show had given different personalities with different backgrounds a platform to talk about sports and social issues.

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Smith’s opinion had very little impact on the general reactions to ESPN layoffs. One person who echoed Barkley was an ESPN veteran himself. Mike Hill was an ESPN on-air personality from 2004 to 2013. He’s become more than familiar with the culture there. That’s what made him comment, “He ain’t lying!!! If you work there, they will WORK YOU,” in the famous video.

In that video, Barkley is saying, ‘”They’ll have me on ESPN One, Two, Three, ESPN News, ESPNU, ESPN Radio! They’re gonna have me on ESPN Deportes, saying muy bien, gracias!” 

He knew what he was talking about, and so does Mike Hill. He’s created and hosted the ESPN Web Series Both Sides Of The Ball, anchored Hill and Schlereth on ESPN Radio, and even appeared on First Take, SportsNation, SportsCenter, NFL Live, and NBA Tonight. Since leaving ESPN, he’s been a regular at FOX Sports.

He’s not the only one who showed his agreement with Barkley, though. Kevin Garnett also shared the clip on Instagram during the ESPN layoff drama with an appeal, ” Chuck SAY IT LOUDER… Shots fired.” 

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Stephen A. Smith is right about First Take giving many a platform. But he’s not enough to sway some opinions about his employer.