Stephen A. Smith off NBA Countdown in ESPN surprise

ESPN is making changes to Stephen A.Smith’s on-air duties.The Worldwide Leader announced this week that the “new-look ‘NBA Countdown’ team” will debut Wednesday, and Smith was noticeably missing from the lineup — which includes third-year host Malika Andrews alongside senior ESPN writer Brian Windhorst, 2023 NBA Champion head coach Michael Malone and former NBA champ Kendrick Perkins as analysts.Additionally, ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania will continue to make regular appearances on the show.ESPN said the new-look crew will lead pregame and halftime coverage for select NBA on ESPN game nights throughout the season. Smith has not appeared on “NBA Countdown” in the preseason or regular season thus far.It comes as ESPN added “Inside the NBA” with TNT losing its coverage of the league.

The celebrated show starring Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson appeared on many of ESPN’s big-game broadcasts already and will be a significant part of its coverage throughout the playoffs and NBA Finals.He has not publicly addressed the news.The “First Take” host, who is an executive producer on the show and is making $21 million on his new deal with ESPN.Smith has two shows on Sirius XM radio, as well as “The Stephen A.

Smith Show” on YouTube, which is part of his production company....