Stephen A. Smith spotted strutting to helicopter as ESPN star leaves First Take studios following tensions behind scenes

STEPHEN A. Smith stays stylish on and off of First Take, and even does so when he’s traveling.

The First Take host gave fans a glimpse into his luxury lifestyle with a recent social media post.

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Wise Owl for The U.S. Sun

Stephen A. took to X to share with fans how he gets around New York City and other areas.

“On The Move,” he captioned a video on X .

In the video, Stephen A. donned one of his classic suits to travel before the start of the NFL season.

He got out of a van and strutted his way to a sleek black helicopter sitting on the tarmac of an airport.

Stephen A. waltzed his way to the helicopter almost in slow motion, before climbing into his vehicle.

Fans were quick to poke fun at the star for his stylish transportation in the comments of his video.

“Bro walking around like he has the Infinity Stones,” one fan said.

“Bro thinks he has Aura lol,” another fan said.

“Dude thinks he’s playing thursday night,” a third fan said.

“The slow walk, adjusting the coat and looking around like he a boss,” a fourth fan said.

“How many times did you rehearse that walk,” a fifth fan said.

Stephen A. is flexing on social media while there are reported tensions unfolding behind the scenes at First Take .

According to a source that works on First Take, ESPN signing Jason McCourty was a move orchestrated by Stephen A. to get more favor for himself on the show.

“I mean, that is another weird move, something that brings even more power to Stephen A. Smith’s circle of influence,” says a source who works on First Take.

“I received a lot of texts with just ‘WTF?’ or ‘Here we go, one more guy for ‘King’ Stephen A. Smith’s court’.’

First Take viewing figures

First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.

The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.

Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.

The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.

First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.

“Everything is being done to please Stephen A. Smith, now even more by bringing another of his ‘buddies’ on the show.

“We already have Shannon Sharpe as his right arm, and now we have another guy to add to his ‘court favorites’.

“This move is to show even more love to Stephen A. Smith, and to do everything for him and to feel that he is the leader, the captain of the boat.

“This is turning into a ‘Stephen A. Smith’ friends club, that is not a good thing.

“It gives him more power and space to pretty much do and say whatever he wants, and behave the way he wants.”

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