Stephen A. Smith has come under sharp criticism after echoing a false quote attributed to WNBA star Brittney Griner during a recent podcast appearance, once again spotlighting the dangers of unchecked misinformation in sports media.

The incident took place during Smith‘s guest appearance on the Valuetainment podcast hosted by Patrick Bet-David.

Brittney Griner walked off the court during her halftime interview, shouting at the referee

The two discussed an Instagram post that supposedly showed Griner making critical comments about American sports fans – but the post, created by the parody account The Sports Memery, was fabricated. Despite the post’s clearly satirical origin, Smith treated it as fact and delivered a serious critique of Griner.

“Respectfully, Brittney Griner was in a Russian prison,” Smith said. “You would think that somebody who is now free, back in America, on home soil, would not have too much to complain about.”

He went further, invoking the circumstances of Griner‘s high-profile return to the U.S. in a prisoner swap: “Clearly she’s not remembering who they let out to get her back. The ‘Merchant of Death,’ an arms dealer, who wanted to kill American citizens, according to the reports.”

Smith‘s full remarks included, “You would think that you would be smiling, you would be ecstatic, you would be happy, and something like this wouldn’t faze you at all. The fact that it does, is disturbing. I’ll leave it at that.”

Fake quote, real consequences
What’s especially troubling, critics say, is how easily Smith and Bet-David took the bait. The post originated from The Sports Memery, an account known for satire – a fact that would have been immediately clear with even basic verification. Yet Smith, one of ESPN’s most prominent voices, responded as though it were genuine news.

Social media lit up with calls for greater responsibility among influential media figures, especially those with millions of followers and access to large platforms.

Many argued that by treating parody as reality, Smith not only misled his audience but also fanned the flames of criticism against Griner – someone who already receives outsized backlash for simply existing in the public eye.

This isn’t the first time Smith has fallen for phony content online. He’s previously quoted from “NBA Centel,” another parody account designed to mimic NBA Central, but even those moments didn’t prompt significant changes in his vetting process – a detail critics find especially frustrating.

Adding fuel to the outrage is the fact that Griner remains a polarizing figure for some, often caught in politically charged debates. Her name frequently appears in bad-faith comparisons with other athletes, such as Caitlin Clark, who has become a lightning rod in her own right through no action of her own.

The result is a dangerous cocktail of misinformation and culture war narratives, amplified by figures who should know better.

Many pointed to the ripple effect that such misinformation can cause, especially when broadcast by someone with Smith‘s reach. “If people hear it amplified by the most prominent person at ESPN, how many more will fall for it and spread it to others?” one critic asked.

The fact that Smith recently signed a five-year, $100 million contract with ESPN only added to the outrage, with some seeing it as a troubling message: that misinformation, as long as it’s wrapped in a high-profile voice, won’t just go unpunished – it might even be rewarded.

As of now, neither Smith nor ESPN has issued a public correction or apology regarding the false remarks. Griner, for her part, has not commented, but many fans and observers say the damage has already been done.

In an era of viral misinformation, the stakes are high – and media figures, especially those as influential as Smith, have a responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the narratives they promote.