Jason Fitz Blasts Stephen A. Smith Over Memphis Comments: ‘One of the Least Prepared People I’ve Ever Worked With’
*Jason Fitz is adding his voice to the chorus of criticism surrounding Stephen A. Smith’s recent remarks about Memphis.
As Awful Announcing reports, during a guest appearance on 92.9 ESPN in Memphis, the former ESPN radio host didn’t hold back, calling Smith “one of the least prepared people I’ve ever worked with in my entire career.”
Fitz, who worked across ESPN radio shows before his 2023 layoff, pointed to the exhaustive effort it takes to remain informed in sports media — a standard he says Smith fails to meet. “Now, Stephen A. is busier than I ever was. We see him making content 24/7,” Fitz said. “So, I guess my question to people in Memphis is: how much Memphis do you think he’s actually absorbed?”
Smith recently claimed NBA players view Memphis as unsafe, referencing alleged private conversations and even citing FBI Director Kash Patel.
“It’s a great sports town, great fans, great people,” Smith said. “But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You’ve got to clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players. They have talked about it. I know. They’ve told me.”
“You gonna tell folks why nobody wants to be in Memphis? Or you want me to do it?”
“Cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel like it’s the safest environment. I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis.” – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/qD9UjV5ZV4— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 17, 2025
The remarks sparked outrage from local figures, including Desmond Bane, Ja Morant, and Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Fitz said Smith’s take wasn’t based on firsthand knowledge, but on secondhand narratives.
“Stephen A. walks and talks and lives and eats and breathes stereotypes,” he said. “Frankly, he has to talk about the city of Memphis because my guy hasn’t watched a single Memphis basketball game in probably three years.”
The heated discussion prompted an upcoming visit from Smith, who accepted Mayor Young’s public invitation. In response to Smith’s claims, Young posted, “If Jimmy or anyone else is unsure, come see for yourself. And Stephen, we’ll welcome you here anytime. Just don’t bet against us. Memphis doesn’t stay down.”
Smith replied, “Deeply appreciate your words and the sentiments that came with them… I accept your invitation to come to your city, as your guest. Let’s make it happen. I’m looking forward to it.”
Young responded, “Sounds like a plan my brother.”
The visit is set to spotlight Memphis’ culture and community resilience — something many locals believe Smith has yet to truly understand.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Stephen A. Smith Accepts Mayor’s Invite to Visit Memphis After Safety Concerns
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