Stephen A. Smith is returning to ESPN as a radio host and columnist.
Smith will host a pair of two-hour, weekday local radio shows -- one airing on ESPN 1050 in New York from 7-9 p.m. ET and another on ESPN 710 in Los Angeles from 6-8 p.m. PT. The shows will concentrate on local sports with a concentration on the NBA on game nights as both stations are the flagships for the Knicks and Lakers, respectively.
"Stephen A. consistently offers strong opinions on a wide variety of topics," said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production, in a statement. "He has a proven track record as an authoritative voice, which will lead to insightful conversation leading into Knicks and Lakers game coverage."
Smith will also be a featured ESPN.com columnist, contributing to both ESPNNewYork.com and ESPNLosAngeles.com.
NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith joins 'The Michael Kay Show' to talk about his return to 1050 ESPN New York, the Knicks' future and the latest in the Melo drama.
Smith worked on a number of ESPN projects from 2003-08, hosting "The Stephen A. Smith Show" from 2005-08 and ESPN2's "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith" from 2005-07. He was also a columnist for ESPN The Magazine.
"Words cannot express how excited I am to return to ESPN," Smith said in a statement. "The five-plus years I spent here in my previous stint were unquestionably the best years of my professional career. To have the opportunity to return to a place where I have an abundance of friends -- with individuals whose contributions to my life, both professionally and personally, deserves far more credit than I can describe -- simply makes my return that much more special. I'm sincerely grateful. And very, very ready. As in right now. Let's go!"
Smith will start contributing this week.
He most recently hosted a morning show on Fox Sports Radio.