ESPN Host Stephen A. Smith Clashes With FBI’s Kash Patel Over NBA Gambling Case

Stephen A. Smith is not afraid to go up against anyone, and that apparently includes FBI Director Kash Patel.

On the Thursday, October 23, episode of ESPN’s First Take, Smith talked about the recent NBA gambling scandal that saw Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat star Terry Rozier arrested as part of a federal investigation into sports gambling.

During the segment, Smith insinuated that U.S. President Donald Trump is involved in the investigation.

“Trump is coming. He’s coming,” Smith, 58, said on the show. “Anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what’s going on today…this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

He continued: “I’m watching a press conference with the Director of the FBI. Tell me when we’ve seen that. We’ve seen accusations before, we’ve seen athletes get in trouble with the law before. You don’t see the Director of the FBI having a press conference. It’s not coincidental, it’s not an accident. It’s a statement and it’s a warning that more is coming.”

Patel seemingly didn’t take too kindly to Smith’s comments, going on Fox News to talk with Laura Ingraham on The Ingraham Angle later in the day, responding to the fiery accusations.

Patel chuckled when Ingraham asked him about Smith’s comments, saying it was “the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard out of anyone in modern history.”

“I’m the FBI director, I decide which arrests to conduct and which not to conduct,” Patel said. “We arrest people for crimes.”

Ingraham laughed as the segment wrapped.

Smith took a slight step back on his original statement in a social media post on Thursday night, responding to Patel’s comments on Fox News.

“Nothing to get ahead of here, people! I never denied or failed to mention that this FBI Investigation has been going on for years,” Smith said via X. “I said Trump wasn’t inclined to stop it. He’s sparing no one because the man isn’t playing. He’s coming!! In no way am I attempting to even have an opinion on the legitimacy of this matter. I don’t know the facts of the case. I’m just saying don’t expect POTUS to spare anyone on this matter. And I stand by that. That’s all!”

But Smith, of course, wasn’t done.

On his radio show on Friday, October 24, he commented again on the situation, clarifying his stance while also making clear that he still feels the same way about Trump’s involvement with the investigation.

“I would say he’s the director of the FBI, let’s just say I’m not trying to get on his bad side,” Smith said. “But having said that, I still stand by what I said. And I’m not changing my mind.

He continued: “This investigation has been going on since when Biden was in office. They talked about how this stuff has been going on since 2019, which is when Trump was in office. I’m not implying that Kash Patel doesn’t have any legitimacy to the case that he’s pursuing against these individuals … and I’m not about to argue with an FBI director. I’m simply making the point that in the end, you have a president in place that has a lengthy connection to the sports world, rife with friends and enemies. And those who are his enemies, he doesn’t mind inconveniencing one bit. And when it comes to the NBA brand, it doesn’t bother him.”

Smith, known for his strong opinions in sports, has become more involved with politics in recent months. In September, he debuted a new podcast, Straight Shooter, where Smith discusses politics and social issues, a shift from his normal sports content.