Stephen Smith issues another serious apology, this one about a colleague's divorce

Stephen A. Smith admitted to sharing false details of the divorce about Iman Shumpert and Tiana Taylor in an episode of the Culture Desk podcast.

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Stephen A. Smith was forced to issue two apologies last week after making insensitive comments about Lane Johnson's mental health, but he made another mistake earlier this week.

The ESPN mogul recently helped launch a new podcast called The Culture Desk, and in a recent episode, Smith discussed the divorce of former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Iman Shumpert and Tiana Taylor.

Smith admitted on his podcast that he shared "false" information about their divorce.

"In the interests of fairness, accuracy, and decency, I believe it is important to address what was discussed in the October episode of The Culture Desk titled, "Can Men Trust Women With Their Finances?" During that episode, I stated that Tiana Taylor walked away from her divorce with $25 million, $10 million in property, luxury cars, and other assets, while her ex-husband, Iman Shumpert, had approximately $2 million and no place to live. Those statements It was incorrect and I want to sincerely apologize to Iman Shumpert and Tiana Taylor.

"Straight Shooter Media and I as CEO have a responsibility to properly source the information presented. We didn't meet that standard here, plain and simple."

Smith admitted he believed the misquotes attributed to Shumpert and said he personally apologized to both of them. He said the episode was removed at Smith's request.

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Smith added: "I also regret that this segment may have left viewers with the impression that Iman publicly humiliated the mother of her children.

The apology comes just days after Smith appeared to poke fun at Johnson, now a former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker who is retiring midseason to focus on his mental health amid the Birds' struggles.

"Now he's calling it quits. Not before the season," Smith said on a recent episode of "First Take." Not in the offseason. ... Four games into the 2026 season, someone who has been in the league forever is stepping back and saying, ``I have to focus on my mental health.'' Do I make it up?

Smith doubled down, mocking the timing of Lane's decision: "And this brother said, 'Hey, my life matters.' It's time for me to leave. My mental health. Lord!"

Smith went on his podcast that night to apologize to Johnson and "for the misunderstanding about [his] comments." A further apology was made at the beginning of the next day's episode "First Take". Smith even made sure shortly after criticizing Johnson that he "doesn't make light of mental health issues," but instead "notes the pointless state of the Philadelphia Eagles right now."

OutKick's Alejandro Avila contributed to this report.

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