Stephen A. Smith Replaces Michelle Beadle in SiriusXM Timeslot Amid On-Air Criticism

Stephen A. Smith is launching two new shows on SiriusXM this September, one of which will replace Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker's midday timeslot, leading to their termination from the network. Beadle expressed feeling blindsided and disrespected by the announcement, which she learned about through a Hollywood Reporter article rather than directly from SiriusXM, calling the experience embarrassing and reflective of industry instability. She also voiced longstanding personal and professional grievances with Smith, dating back to a 2014 controversy involving his comments on domestic violence. Smith defended his decision, citing new opportunities for himself and his production company, and showed no interest in targeting Beadle's audience. The situation has sparked tension among ESPN and SiriusXM colleagues, with some making light of the competition between shows airing in the same time slot. Smith, meanwhile, recently signed a multi-year, high-value contract extension with ESPN and is expanding his presence through these new radio programs.