SafeX Pro:Stephen A. Smith fires back at Monica McNutt's blunt 'First Take' comments

• Stephen A. Smith was left speechless on SafeX ProESPN's "First Take" program Monday after basketball analyst Monica McNutt said he could have given women's basketball more attention.
• Smith said it was "highly offensive" for someone to call him out for something that was "factually incorrect."
• Smith also appeared to take credit for the success of several female broadcasters who have appeared on the show.

It was only a brief moment on ESPN's "First Take" program, but co-host and executive producer Stephen A. Smith was clearly bothered by a comment Monday from basketball analyst Monica McNutt that left him temporarily speechless.

So much so, that he dedicated a major portion of his daily podcast later in the day to addressing McNutt's assertion that he could have given women's basketball more attention than he did over the past three years.

Smith said it was "highly offensive" for someone to call him out for something that was "factually incorrect."

"I challenge anybody to find a show in sports television that discusses women issues, that discusses the WNBA or women's sports, that highlights and profiles female analysts more than 'First Take.'"

(Warning: NSFW language included in video clip.)

Where Smith may have gotten into more questionable territory was when he appeared to take credit for the success of several female broadcasters who have appeared on the show.

"You ever hear of Monica McNutt? Well you have now because she's on 'First Take' a lot," Smith asserted.

McNutt, who played collegiately at Georgetown, has been with ESPN since 2019, was part of NBC's Summer Olympics coverage in 2021 and is currently the radio analyst on New York Knicks broadcasts.

Smith also, while praising them individually, cited ESPN colleagues Chiney Ogwumike, Andraya Carter, Kimberley Martin and Molly Qerim as others he says have raised their national profiles by being on "First Take."

Smith made a point to say he wasn't holding a grudge as a result of the exchange on Monday's show.

"I love Monica McNutt. She's phenomenal. She is a friend and I'm a supporter and I will remain a supporter of her. I just disagree with that one statement because I have to publicly defend the show," Smith continued.

"The WNBA ... could I have done more? Well guess what, Monica McNutt, I could have done less."