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ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said that he is “not running for president in 2028” in his “firmest rejection yet of speculation that has surrounded him for the past year.” Appearing on Politico’s “The Conversation,” Smith said, “The minute I announce that I’m running, I would be taken off the air. I wouldn’t be able to work, and I would lose a contract that I worked my entire career for, you know, and I’m not giving that up.” He added, “As long as the rules are what they are and they can’t be circumvented, it’s not something that I’m going to think about.” Looking ahead to 2028, Smith named Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as his “top prospect for Democrats, calling him ‘big time.’” Smith also “praised Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.” On the Republican side, Smith “dismissed a potential run by media personality Tucker Carlson.” He also argued that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be a “stronger candidate than Vice President JD Vance” (POLITICO, 9/3).