“Weren’t Many Platforms That Would Take a Woman”: Chiney Ogwumike Proves “Close Mentor” Stephen A. Smith Right After ESPN Drama

For Chiney Ogwumike, making an impact was always a priority. “I spend my energy where I feel like I can make the most impact.” Since 2018, through Ogwumike’s lenses, it’s both on-court and on TV. However, the process of becoming the first Black woman and the first WNBA player to run a national radio show wasn’t easy. To speed up the 2014 draft No. 1 pick’s journey, she needed a catalyst. And, for her, it turned out to be Stephen A. Smith. Months after Smith got embroiled in a back-and-forth with Monica McNutt on ESPN, it seems Ogwumike’s claim has proved the legendary analyst right.

Chiney Ogwumike recently joined Awful Announcing Podcast host Brandon Contes for an exclusive chat. While discussing a range of topics, she unveiled, “Stephen A. is one of my closest mentors to this day.” For context, Ogwumike is a tree grown from saplings planted by Stephen A. Smith in 2018. “When I started off at ESPN, there weren’t many platforms that would take a woman by my name and have me on talking about the NBA or WNBA when it was not a thing,” she added.

At this point, Smith took a step forward and supported Ogwumike. That’s how Ogwumike was fueled to become the first WNBA player and Black woman to have her show for ESPN, Chiney & Golic Jr., back then. “He’s done so much to empower me in his space and internally at ESPN,” she expressed. But that wasn’t what Monica McNutt said about the 56-year-old analyst.

On June 3rd, Smith was distraught as McNutt opposed and fired back at him on the sets of First Take.“Stephen A, respectfully with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to,” she said, pointing out how he hasn’t used his platform to discuss women’s sports. While Smith didn’t have much to say at the time, he made sure to give his take a few days later.

Stephen A. Smith had to make his impact and intentions clear

Smith called McNutt out in a rant on his podcast, saying he has been responsible for giving a platform to numerous women that we see on TV today. He named Ogwumike, Andraya Carter, Molly Qerim, and Kimberley Martin as women who have benefitted from First Take. “Chiney Ogwumike, absolutely wonderful, spectacular basketball analyst, etc., WNBA player in her own right. Ask her how it’s been to be on First Take,” Smith had stated back then.

Well, we have an answer now. While Ogwumike also agrees that Smith could have embraced it a little more than he did, she believes this is not the case with just First Take or ESPN. “It’s true he could have, but so could have everyone else,” she told Awful Announcing.

We can see numerous women on multiple platforms covering basketball these days. While it has not only helped provide a different view of the game and tactics, it has also opened the floor for others to join them based on merit. Whether anyone likes it or not, Stephen A. Smith did play a role in making things as they are today in the media.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection Silas Demary Jr.