Why does Stephen A. Smith hate the Dallas Cowboys so much?

[MS17]

There's no business like show business.
(Stephen A is not a journalist)

 

[big dog cowboy]

You tell me then what the viewership is of his program if it’s less than millions.

758,000 people

• First Take is currently the 13th most popular show on ESPN and 188th overall on TV, watched by a total number of 758,000 people (0.24% rating, up +22% from Friday) as of the daily audience measurement on December 4, 2023

https://search.yahoo.com/search;_yl...-?p=first+take+viewership&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t

 

[speedkilz88]

Becausd he had to take the opposite view of skip bayless originally and it took off from there.

 

[pansophy]

He is a legit Giant fan too

 

[JoeKing]

I think everyone realizes the role Stephen A pursues but did everyone know his history of hate for the Cowboys stemming from a high school GF breaking up with him?

I certainly didn’t until I read this article .

Exactly right!

 

[speedkilz88]

You tell me then what the viewership is of his program if it’s less than millions.

Disney has run their companies into the ground. It's been a long time since their viewership was in the millions.

 

[Carson]

He is a legit Giant fan too

I believe he is everything New York except he roots for the Steelers

 

[Whyjerry]

His ratings aren’t the issue though. His show is still the biggest in its lane and it’s because of the energy people have for him. He himself has turned into the Cowboys. You either hate him or you love him but the fact you care at all is beneficial to him. He learned from Jerry.

You tell me then what the viewership is of his program if it’s less than millions.

ESPN by most estimates has a viewership of about 70 million today. That’s down from about 100 million over the past years. It occupies premium slots on cable channel lineups and has multiple well resourced venues from radio to online as well. It also maintains millions of loyal sports fans that tune in no matter what. Although that number is declining. Stephen A is all over the network because management values negative views as well as sports analysis. That’s the primary reason ESPN is bleeding. From a sheer numbers standpoint you can say he has millions of viewers but the reality is anyone that is repeatedly pushed on you through multiple avenues would have the same. The reality is ESPN is circling the drain despite their legacy and the financial backing of Disney.

Mike Greenberg is another example. The guy is hated. Yet he has “millions of viewers”. The guy hosted a short lived game show on ABC. That’s what the network will do for a bootlicker that will do and say anything they want him to.

Would you not watch the Cowboys because Joe Buck is calling the game?

 

[BoysForLife]

I don’t either . But millions do.

The bigger point is to flag those who follow in his footsteps attempting to aggravate and annoy Cowboy fans . Some even use him as a reference to their criticism . It’s a red flag into their intentions serving as a discredit to their opinion.

I agree smith has a beef with Dallas but that doesn't mean everything he says is wrong.

If he has a legit criticism of the cowboys, are you saying that shouldn't be discussed because he doesn't personally like them?

 

[JW82]

Who cares?

 

[CowboyinMD]

Jimmy Johnson's ROH speech was great, and in particular, when he said, "...and thank YOU to all you fans that hate the Dallas Cowboys organization."

He's absolutely right. If everyone loved this franchise, it would be very boring. It would be just Cowboys fans bickering with Cowboys fans, which we do anyway on this board (haha). The vitriol from the Cowboy haters is great drama, IMO. I actually enjoy Stephen A. Smith because he excels in the hater role.

 

[CWR]

$$$ /thread

 

[BigBlacKahuna]

It’s his act, and it’s tired! Moving on…..

 

[sunalsorises]

Becausd he had to take the opposite view of skip bayless originally and it took off from there.

This is my memory of it as well. Does Skip actually like the Cowboys as much as he professes on TV? I bet not.

 

[BigBlacKahuna]

He is a legit Giant fan too

He’s a Steelers fan.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I get it. I’m just here to call it out for anyone who uses him as a discredit not only to their opinions but a red flag of their intentions .

This was first I’d heard of his deeply embedded hate for Cowboys from a teenager girlfriend experience . Those type of real life experiences can make quite an impression for life.

Yeah but I honestly don’t even think he hates the Cowboys. I know real Cowboy hate when I see it and his hate seems to be for the cameras just like Bayless is a fake Cowboy fan for cameras.

ESPN by most estimates has a viewership of about 70 million today. That’s down from about 100 million over the past years. It occupies premium slots on cable channel lineups and has multiple well resourced venues from radio to online as well. It also maintains millions of loyal sports fans that tune in no matter what. Although that number is declining. Stephen A is all over the network because management values negative views as well as sports analysis. That’s the primary reason ESPN is bleeding. From a sheer numbers standpoint you can say he has millions of viewers but the reality is anyone that is repeatedly pushed on you through multiple avenues would have the same. The reality is ESPN is circling the drain despite their legacy and the financial backing of Disney.

Mike Greenberg is another example. The guy is hated. Yet he has “millions of viewers”. The guy hosted a short lived game show on ABC. That’s what the network will do for a bootlicker that will do and say anything they want him to.

Would you not watch the Cowboys because Joe Buck is calling the game?

I didn't realize people "hated" Mike Greenberg....but hate is always louder than love especially in 202.....4 lol.

Every network's ratings are down. CNN, HBO, ABC, FOX....streaming and the internet has killed networks.



Over on ESPN, First Take averaged 815,000 viewers, better than all of ESPN’s regular daily lineup aside from Pardon the Interruption (879,000).

ESPN's ratings may be down but First Take's are higher than ever and that's why you see Stephen A all over the network. He brings ratings.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

This is my memory of it as well. Does Skip actually like the Cowboys as much as he professes on TV? I bet not.

Skip HATES the Cowboys. HE use to publicly admit it. Troy Aikman hates him just as much as he hates the Cowboys lol.

 

[sunalsorises]

Skip HATES the Cowboys. HE use to publicly admit it. Troy Aikman hates him just as much as he hates the Cowboys lol.

Aikman has anger toward Skip because of some rumor that Aikman was gay. I don't quite remember Skip's role in that but I know there was a falling out. I do think Skip hates the Cowboys.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Aikman has anger toward Skip because of some rumor that Aikman was gay. I don't quite remember Skip's role in that but I know there was a falling out. I do think Skip hates the Cowboys.

Skip started the rumor himself lol.

 

[Hardline]

Everything said so far is true.
Another reason he generates hate amongst Cowboys fans is because what he says about them is true.
Just like Shannon Sharp having more valid takes than Skip.