‘What are you?’ – Stephen A Smith calls out Michael Wilbon for ‘not a journalist’ claim

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Stephen A. Smith has hit back at longtime ESPN colleague Michael Wilbon after Wilbon questioned whether Smith can still call himself a journalist.

The comments have sparked a fascinating debate about where journalism ends and sports television begins, with Smith insisting his years of reporting and work with sources still make him a journalist.

Wilbon made the original comments during an appearance on the Awful Announcing Podcast, where he was asked whether Smith’s work on First Take should be viewed in the same way as traditional reporting.

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Stephen A. Smith challenges Michael Wilbon over his journalism claim​

Wilbon was blunt when discussing his colleague’s current role.

‘Stop, you’re not a journalist anymore. You’re not doing what you did at the Philly Inquirer,’ Wilbon said. ‘Stephen A. is a show. He knows it. He wants to be the show, and he’s doing a damn good job at it.’

Smith did not let the comments go unanswered.

Speaking on his SiriusXM show, the ESPN star explained that his role has changed, but that does not mean his background in journalism has disappeared.

‘I wasn’t trying to imply that I’m a journalist meaning I’m in the locker room being accountable to the people I talk about every single story or every single angle that I take,’ Smith said.

He pointed to his huge workload on television, while also stressing that he still makes phone calls, maintains relationships with sources and gathers information before discussing stories publicly.

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Smith also made a distinction between being a beat reporter and being a journalist by trade.

‘When I say to an athlete that will come at me or anybody else in sports that I’m a journalist, I’m talking about by trade and nature,’ he said.

That distinction appears to be at the heart of the disagreement.

Wilbon’s point was based largely on Smith no longer doing the same daily locker-room and press-box reporting he once did. Smith, meanwhile, believes those responsibilities have changed rather than erased his identity.

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The two have clearly maintained a strong friendship despite the disagreement. Smith even brought Wilbon onto his show to discuss the issue directly.

During that conversation, Smith asked: ‘What are you?’

Wilbon responded by acknowledging Smith’s success, telling him: ‘You have built an empire.’

For two journalists who have spent decades in sports media, the debate is unlikely to end with one conversation. But both have now made their positions clear.

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