Renowned ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has a significant aspiration beyond the world of sports broadcasting, setting his sights on a role outside the traditional sports landscape.
In a conversation with sports journalist Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, the 56-year-old expressed his desire to shift towards late-night talk show hosting, particularly after Jimmy Kimmel's contract expires in 2026.
"I'd be very interested in succeeding him," the television personality said this past week during the BSM Summit in New York City.
Just a little over a year ago, Smith told Sean Hannity of Fox News that he would "love" to be considered a potential successor to Kimmel, whose current contract with ESPN concludes in July 2025.
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Jimmy Kimmel contemplating retirement
Kimmel's recent remark a month ago hinted at the possibility of retirement once his current contract concludes in 2026.
"I think this is my final contract. I hate to even say it, because everyone's laughing at me now - each time I think that, and then it turns out to be not the case. I still have a little more than two years left on my contract, and that seems pretty good. That seems like enough," the 56-year-old television personality said.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been airing on ABC since 2003, and both ABC and ESPN share the same parent company, The Walt Disney Company.
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