The Stanley Cup Finals concluded yesterday with the Florida Panthers defeating the Edmonton Oilers to claim the Cup. However, before the game, sports talk host and podcaster Stephen A. Smith chose to focus more on race rather than the game itself.
Smith is known for often steering sports discussions toward racial issues rather than the on-field action or news. He frequently emphasizes the significance of African American coaches being hired or making history, overshadowing other aspects of sports coverage.
The main topic on “First Take” should have been the historical comeback by Edmonton, who rallied from a three-game deficit to force a decisive game seven. Instead, Smith diverted the conversation elsewhere.
"You talk about breaking news, look at this thing!” Smith said, according to an article by OutKick. “Three black dudes talking hockey! On national television! Only in America baby...Let's do that hockey, all day.”
Related: SURPRISE! Stephen A. Smith Claims that WNBA's Hostility To Caitlin Clark Is Racial
ESPN's lack of interest in hockey is well-documented, and Smith's stance on the matter was particularly highlighted in 2018 for ESPN.
“He wouldn't talk about hockey because he’s black,” said Smith.
In 2022, a report by the NHL’s Executive Inclusion Council revealed that 83.6 percent of players and team employees in the NHL were white, with only 3.71 percent being black. Given Smith's advocacy for diversity, one might expect him to take a more active role in discussing diversity issues within the NHL.
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