Stephen A. Smith (Photos via Imagn Images)
A new alleged leak audio catches ESPN producer Ryan Bertrand making critical comments about one of the network’s marquee talents, Stephen A. Smith.

Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe claims that an anonymous source provided O’Keefe Media Group with an audio tape of Bertrand voicing disparaging remarks about Stephen A. Smith.

In the video, Bertrand says that Smith “plays the angry black man on TV.” Bertrand also slams Smith for going on Fox News to talk about Gaza, questioning what he knows about Gaza when he was “just talking about the Lakers three hours ago.”

Bertrand then says that ESPN staffers think the 57-year-old Stephen A. Smith is “crazy” and simply paid just “to create controversy.”

You can listen to the full audio tape below:

As noted by Awful Announcing, Ryan Bertrand has since deleted his LinkedIn account and made his X/Twitter account private. Neither ESPN, Bertrand or Smith have commented on the matter thus far.

Smith has been with the Worldwide Leader in Sports since 2003, where he continues to host the popular “First Take” program.

Stephen A. Smith Just Signed A New Contract With ESPN

Stephen A. Smith (Photos via Twitter and Imagn Images)
With Smith’s current contract set to expire later this year, he and ESPN moved quickly to reach an agreement on an extension. Smith signed a five-year pact worth $100 million, allowing him to work a reduced schedule while discussing politics on other networks outside of ESPN.

Smith is a polarizing sports media personality, but his $100 million deal shows just how much ESPN values him. He’s always been a ratings sensation for the network, and staffers like Bertrand not being fond of him doesn’t diminish his importance to ESPN.