NEW YORK — The normally polished world of sports talk television was jolted this week when Alexis Ohanian, the tech entrepreneur and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, delivered a brutally subtle, yet unmistakable, swipe at ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith.
The "First Take" Exchange That Sparked the Fire
The incident occurred during a recent episode of ESPN's popular debate show, First Take, where Ohanian was a guest. The conversation, initially centered on the business of sports and Ohanian's investments, took a sharp turn when host Molly Qerim asked him about his recent comments regarding the media's coverage of women's sports. Ohanian, a vocal and passionate advocate for women's athletics, seized the moment to make a pointed remark that left the panel momentarily stunned.
He stated, "I think there are a lot of people who have built entire careers, multimillion-dollar careers, off of talking about men's sports who couldn't name five players in the WNBA... and I think that's a shame because the level of play is incredible and the stories are incredible." While Ohanian did not mention Smith by name, the context and specificity of the comment were widely interpreted as a direct shot at the veteran commentator.
Context: Ohanian's Advocacy vs. Smith's History
To understand the weight of Ohanian's words, one must look at the history of both men. Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and founder of the venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, has invested millions into women's sports. He is the principal owner of Angel City FC in the NWSL and a lead investor in the Los Angeles Golf Club. His advocacy is a core part of his public persona. Stephen A. Smith, on the other hand, has faced criticism in the past for his commentary on women's sports, particularly the WNBA.
Most notably, in 2021, Smith faced significant backlash after admitting on his podcast that he did not cover the WNBA, attributing it to a lack of demand. He later apologized, but the incident cemented a perception among many fans and athletes that he, and much of the mainstream sports media, undervalue women's sports. Ohanian's comment on a show co-hosted by Smith was therefore seen as calling out this very hypocrisy.
Key Points of Contention in the Broader Debate
The underlying tension Ohanian highlighted revolves around several critical issues in sports media today:
- Accountability: Should high-profile commentators be expected to have a baseline knowledge of all major sports leagues?
- Investment vs. Lip Service: Is it enough to verbally support women's sports, or does meaningful support require financial and platform investment?
- The Demand Myth: The long-held argument that there is "no demand" for women's sports coverage is being systematically dismantled by record-breaking viewership numbers and attendance figures for events like the NCAA women's basketball tournament and the NWSL.
Social Media Erupts in Support of Ohanian
Following the broadcast, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), became a battleground of opinions. The overwhelming sentiment, however, was in support of Ohanian. Fans and athletes alike praised him for using his platform on a major sports network to challenge the status quo. One viral post read, "Alexis Ohanian just said what all WNBA fans have been thinking for years. Respect."
Another user pointedly added, "It's wild to have a career talking sports but not talk about an entire professional league with some of the best athletes in the world. Ohanian is 100% correct. This isn't about opinion; it's about basic professional competence." The online reaction underscored a growing impatience with traditional media's often sluggish and superficial embrace of women's sports.
Stephen A. Smith's Measured On-Air Response
For his part, Stephen A. Smith handled the on-air moment with professional composure. He did not become defensive or engage in a heated debate. Instead, he acknowledged Ohanian's point and pivoted to a broader discussion about the media landscape. He conceded that more coverage is warranted and mentioned the rising stars of the WNBA like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese as catalysts for increased attention.
However, Smith also subtly defended his position and that of his colleagues by framing the issue as one of business and audience metrics. He suggested that while personal interest is one factor, television networks are ultimately driven by ratings and what they believe their audience wants to see. This response, while diplomatic, did little to quell the critics who saw it as a deflection from the core issue of expertise and effort raised by Ohanian.
The Bigger Picture: A Shifting Media Landscape
This exchange is more than just a personal spat between a tech billionaire and a TV personality. It is a microcosm of the powerful shifts occurring in the sports world. The era where women's sports could be safely ignored or given token coverage by major networks is rapidly closing. With Ohanian and other influential figures putting their money and their mouths behind this movement, the pressure on legacy media institutions is intensifying.
The success of leagues like the WNBA and NWSL, coupled with the monumental commercial success of collegiate athletes like Clark, proves that the demand is not just present, it is booming. Ohanian's "brutal swipe" was ultimately a challenge to the media to catch up to its audience or risk becoming irrelevant. It was a statement that expertise and coverage must evolve to reflect the full spectrum of the sporting world, not just the traditionally most profitable segments.
Conclusion: A Line in the Sand Has Been Drawn
Alexis Ohanian's comments on First Take were calculated, sharp, and deeply resonant. By calling out the disparity between the massive platforms built on men's sports and the lack of foundational knowledge about premier women's leagues, he drew a line in the sand. The incident highlights a growing refusal from advocates, investors, and fans to accept excuses for inadequate coverage.
While Stephen A. Smith may have been the unnamed target this time, the message was for the entire sports media industry. The game is changing, and as Ohanian so effectively demonstrated, those who fail to do their homework on the entirety of the sports landscape may soon find themselves on the receiving end of more than just a subtle dig—they may find themselves on the wrong side of history.