Overview
- Smith posted a public apology after saying on his Culture Table podcast that his statements about the Shumpert–Taylor divorce were inaccurate and that he had been misled by viral, misattributed quotes.
- He said he personally spoke with Teyana Taylor, who told him the $25 million figure and related claims were false, and that he has apologized directly to both Taylor and Iman Shumpert.
- Smith un-published the episode in question and said, as CEO of Straight Shooter Media, he and his team failed to properly verify the material before airing it.
- The false figures Smith repeated claimed Taylor received $25 million while Shumpert was left with about $2 million, a portrayal Smith now says was not supported by any verified source.
- The incident has drawn quick peer criticism, including Jalen Rose publicly mocking the apology, and it follows another recent on-air correction for Smith, increasing scrutiny of his sourcing and his role at ESPN.