Overview
- The retooled show debuts November 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET with host Malika Andrews and analysts Brian Windhorst, Michael Malone and Kendrick Perkins, plus reporter Shams Charania.
- Smith is not on the 2025–26 Countdown roster after two decades on the program, though he said he remains available for occasional appearances.
- On his SiriusXM show, Smith said the change was part of his early-2025 negotiations and that he opted out to avoid late nights and manage a larger workload.
- ESPN’s NBA presentation is being refreshed this season with licensed Inside the NBA segments and an upgraded Los Angeles studio that features a new VR 2.0 system.
- The network extended Windhorst, added Malone to the desk and lined up Kenny Smith as a contributor, while Smith continues to lead First Take under a multi-year deal reportedly worth about $105 million.