Mike Wilbon Says Stephen A. Smith "Not A Journalist"
- Nd Sports
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Published August 5, 2026 at 3:00 AM EDT
Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
BRISTOL, CT -- Veteran sports reporter Michael Wilbon says Stephen A. Smith is no longer a journalist, arguing that his ESPN colleague has transitioned from reporting to entertainment. During an interview with Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing, Wilbon acknowledged Smith's accomplished career as a newspaper reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer but said his current role on First Take is fundamentally different.
Wilbon explained that journalism requires the daily work of attending practices, interviewing players, writing stories and maintaining relationships inside locker rooms—responsibilities neither he nor Smith performs anymore. Instead, he said, television personalities are paid to deliver opinions, debate and spectacle rather than gather original news. Wilbon added that he no longer considers himself a journalist either, describing both men as entertainers who have accepted the realities of modern sports television.
While emphasizing that Smith earned his journalistic credentials, Wilbon said the industry's biggest stars have evolved into media personalities whose primary responsibility is engaging audiences, not reporting the news.
Smith responded on The Stephen A. Smith Show, saying Wilbon's definition of journalism is outdated. While acknowledging he no longer covers a single team or attends daily practices, Smith argued that he continues to report, verify information through trusted sources, conduct interviews and break news when appropriate. He said journalism has expanded beyond newspapers to include television, podcasts, streaming platforms and digital media.
"I don't report anymore? Really?" Smith said, noting that he regularly relies on sources and produces original reporting despite his opinion-driven format.
Smith also emphasized that opinion journalism remains journalism when it is grounded in factual reporting and credible sourcing. He argued that modern journalists often wear multiple hats, combining reporting, analysis and commentary in ways that were uncommon earlier in their careers.
Despite disagreeing with Wilbon's assessment, Smith made clear there is no personal animosity between them. He described Wilbon as a friend and mentor whose work he deeply respects, but said they simply have different views on what journalism looks like in today's media landscape.
The exchange has sparked broader discussion about whether prominent television personalities who report news while primarily serving as commentators should still be considered journalists or whether they have become a distinct category of media figures.