FIRST Take star Monica McNutt recently opened up on her live TV argument with Stephen A. Smith last year.
McNutt’s confrontation with Stephen A. over First Take’s lack of women’s sports coverage went viral last summer and continues to be talked about today.
GettyESPN analyst Monica McNutt posing at the 2024 NBA Draft[/caption] ESPNMcNutt got into a heated interaction with Stephen A. Smith during a discussion about the WNBA last June[/caption]
Smith was at a loss for words during the moment – something that usually never occurs with his fiery personality.
Last weekend, McNutt appeared at a Front Office Sports event and addressed the viral sequence between herself and Stephen A.
“This is layered for me because the existence of women at large, outside of sports, is just a challenge. That is the nature of our experience and our society today,” McNutt said.
“So, am I sensitive to word choices and descriptions about certain women? Yes.
“Does that mean that I cannot talk about basketball and acknowledge how we are all moving this thing forward together?
“But there is a sensitivity for me when it comes to women’s sports that I don’t necessarily have around men’s sports, and I am, in real-time, learning how to navigate that.”
The heated exchange with Smith came after she challenged Smith about ESPN’s coverage of the WNBA.
“Who talks more about the WNBA, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Stephen A. said.
McNutt didn’t argue against Smith’s claim, but she did say that he could’ve talked about the league years earlier.
“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt said.
Host Molly Qerim and co-host Shannon Sharpe were visibly stunned by the comment, and Stephen A. could only muster up, “Wow.”
“You’re my guy,” McNutt then said.
“But I’m talking to you.”
“You’re my girl,” Smith responded.
'Who talks more about the WNBA?'
Stephen A. Smith had a run in with Monica McNutt on First Take about women's basketball this week.
Smith said that he didn’t like how he needed to “watch every syllable” when talking about the WNBA, but McNutt wasn’t happy with his statement.
“Welcome to the world of being a woman, Stephen A,” she said.
“How you have to dance about your word choice and how you have to please everybody and anybody as you navigate your being.”
Stephen A. gave a comment that really fired McNutt up.
“Who talks more about the WNBA, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Stephen A. said.
McNutt clearly was irked by his question and set the record straight on live TV.
“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt said.
Molly Qerim and Shannon Sharpe both looked stunned, and Qerim tried to get the show to a commercial break, but the awkward moment continued.
After Stephen A. muttered “wow,” McNutt gave him a reassurance that she thinks he could have done more.
“You’re my guy,” McNutt said.
“But I’m talking to you.”
“You’re my girl,” Smith replied.
“But you’ve missed a lot of episodes of First Take.”
“But you’ve missed a lot of episodes of First Take.”
McNutt, who was once a contributor to First Take, has appeared on the hit debate program just once since the viral exchange.
The 35-year-old still works as a basketball analyst for ESPN.
McNutt mostly covers women’s basketball for the network.
She is also a studio analyst and radio color commentator for the New York Knicks.
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