Sports
Stephen A. Smith Sounds Like He’s Seriously Ready for Presidential Run in 2028
It certainly feels like the United States of America could have back-to-back presidents that have backgrounds in television.
Current President Donald Trump spent 11 years as the host of “The Apprentice” on NBC. A businessman by trade, Trump’s show was a mainstay on television for 14 seasons. NBC cut ties with Trump in 2015 following his announcement to run for president.
After Trump’s second term, it sounds like popular sports commentator Stephen A. Smith is seriously considering replacing the 47th president. Smith has a background in sports journalism and has spent the last several decades as a debate personality on ESPN.
Smith’s public interest in politics has certainly increased over the years. At one point, it was a funny thought to imagine one of the world’s best sports debaters on a presidential debate stage arguing politics. A few short years later, it feels like a real possibility that Smith views himself as a legitimate political figure in 2028.
On Kalshi’s prediction market, Smith has less than a one percent chance of winning the 2028 presidential election. But the fact that he’s even listed as a nominee feels insane.
In an interview with CBS, Smith admitted that he’d likely run as a democrat, as he couldn’t see himself running as a member of the GOP. He claims to have “no desire” in running for president, but also states that he’s not ruling it out.
“I’m a fiscal conservative,” Smith said. “I can’t stand high taxes. But I’m a social liberal in the same breath because I believe in living and let live.”
Kalshi has democratic candidates including Wes Moore, Gretchen Whitmer, Andy Beshar, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Jon Ossoff, Josh Shapiro, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gavin Newsom as the individuals with better odds at becoming president than Smith. However, current VP J.D. Vance is the current favorite to win the election.
Smith was asked directly about running against legitimate candidates including Newsome, the governor of California.
“I respect all of them in terms of their intellect, in terms of where their heart lies, in terms of the service that they want to provide to this country,” Smith told CBS. “But ultimately, your actions speak louder than anything.”
He noted that Newsom is a qualified candidate that might be able to separate himself, but the lack of affordability in California, homelessness and crime will be questions that the governor will need to answer.
Smith’s idea of running for office doesn’t seem overly farfetched because of his ability to debate on the spot. America has turned into a country that runs on the backbone of social media clips. It’s what helped Smith rise to prominence in his professional career as a broadcaster. But could it carry him all the way to the White House?
Sports
Yale head coach Tony Reno steps down, cites health concerns
Oct 16, 2021; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Yale Bulldogs head coach Tony Reno yells to an official during the first half against the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Tony Reno stepped down as head coach at Yale on Tuesday, citing health reasons for the end of his 14-year run with the Bulldogs.
Reno, 52, was hired as the coach of the Bulldogs in January 2012 and led the team to its first FCS playoff berth in 2025. He helped Yale overcome a 28-point deficit in the second half of a 43-42 victory over Youngstown State in the first round before the team fell to eventual national champion Montana State in the second.
“Given my current health situation, I have made the decision to step down as head coach of Yale Football,” Reno said in a statement. “When I arrived at Yale 14 years ago, I could never have imagined what this journey would become. The relationships formed, the moments shared, and the people I have been privileged to be surrounded by have changed my life and my family’s lives forever. I am deeply grateful to the players, the coaches, and the staff who gave everything they had to Yale Football.
“From the very beginning, I spoke about honoring the proud tradition of Yale Football and fully embracing the responsibility that comes with leading this program. Together, we pursued excellence and built something truly meaningful. I am incredibly proud of the foundation we laid and confident in the future of Yale Football. Serving as the head coach of this program has been the greatest honor of my life.”
Reno has guided Yale to five Ivy League titles and owns an 83-49 record during his time with the school. His win total trails only the legendary Carm Cozza in the history of the university.
“Coach Reno’s leadership has been truly transformational,” Bulldogs athletic director Vicky Chun said. “His impact on Yale Football, our department, and the university extends far beyond championships and wins — it lives in the countless people he has inspired. Coach Reno led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, giving his whole heart to this program every day. He cared deeply about his players as people, challenging them to excel on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Coach Reno’s devotion to Yale and to the young men he coached was total, and his legacy will endure for generations.”
Yale immediately will begin a national search for the program’s next head coach.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Brooks Koepka adds Houston Open to return tour
Brooks Koepka looks over his putt on the 16th hole during Round 2 at the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 6, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale. As Brooks Koepka carefully plots his path back to relevance on the game’s biggest stages, his return to the PGA Tour continues to provide a boost for the tour’s second-tier events.
The Texas Children’s Houston Open announced that Koepka has committed to the March 26-29 event along with Rickie Fowler and defending champion Min Woo Lee. Other marquee names who have committed to the Houston Open field include two-time 2026 winner Chris Gotterup, No. 26-ranked Si Woo Kim, Gary Woodland, Sungjae Im and Will Zalatoris.
However, it’s Koepka who will have the most on the line at Memorial Park Golf Course, which he played a significant role in helping re-design along with architect Tom Doak.
Koepka made his return to the PGA Tour with a tie for 56th at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. He followed that up with a missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open, as he has drifted back to 257th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Currently ineligible for the tour’s signature events as well as The Players Championship, Koepka is attempting to work his way back up the world and FedEx Cup rankings through the second-tier events. His next start will come at the Cognizant Classic (Feb. 26-March 1), which the West Palm Beach, Fla. native considers his hometown event.
The Houston Open will serve as a warm-up to The Masters, which takes place April 9-12, and Koepka is exempt into all four majors through at least 2028.
The nine-time tour winner will return to the Houston Open for the first time since 2021.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Dominic Smith signs minor league deal with Braves
Sep 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Dominic Smith (7) is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images Journeyman first baseman Dominic Smith has joined the Braves’ spring training camp as a non-roster invitee on a minor league contract, according to multiple media reports.
Smith, 30, is a former first-round pick by the New York Mets in the 2013 MLB Draft. He played his first six seasons with the Mets, but has bounced between teams since, playing for the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants in the last three seasons.
In 2025, Smith played 63 games with the Giants, hitting .284 with five home runs, 12 doubles and 33 RBIs.
Smith hit a career-best .316 with 10 homers in 50 games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season with New York. Over 756 games spanning nine seasons, Smith has a .250 career batting average with 69 homers, 292 RBIs, 543 strikeouts and 185 walks.
He’s played 473 of his games at first base but also played 182 games in left field, although he hasn’t played there since 2021.
–Field Level Media
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