Michelle Beadle didn’t just lose her job, she lost it to someone she’s openly called out for nearly a decade. On Thursday evening, the outspoken sports personality found herself out at SiriusXM Radio, blindsided by a move that handed her timeslot to none other than Stephen A. Smith. And Beadle didn’t hide her frustration.
The move didn’t sit well with the former ESPN host. Speaking to Front Office Sports, Beadle said she doesn’t “respect” Smith and pointed to a years-old rift stemming from his controversial comments on the Ray Rice domestic violence case.
“I don’t respect him. I don’t respect his work,” Beadle said. “This goes back to the Ray Rice stuff… He made some really piggish comments on the air. I responded; he got suspended for like two weeks.” Beadle didn’t mince words, adding, “He gets things wrong all the time… Not a fan.”
SiriusXM Shakes Up Its Lineup
The shakeup became official Thursday night when The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that SiriusXM had parted ways with Beadle and her co-host, Cody Decker. “SiriusXM has parted ways with Michelle Beadle & Cody Decker,” Marchand wrote.
But the network had other plans. Smith, who currently dominates much of ESPN’s on-air landscape, expressed excitement about the new venture. “To say that I’m excited would be an understatement,” he said in a statement. “I’ve been on Mad Dog before, had the time of my life… I get to reunite with my guy, Mad Dog, on his turf.”
Beadle’s sudden exit marks a sharp turn for a host who once anchored some of ESPN’s biggest shows. While it’s unclear what her next move will be, it’s clear she isn’t fading quietly. She delivered her parting words with a sharp edge. For now, SiriusXM moves forward with Smith in front of the camera, and Beadle out of the picture.
