ESPN sports personalities Mina Kimes and Stephen A. Smith are at the center of recent controversies. Kimes expressed deep embarrassment after promoting Solitaire Cash, a gaming app associated with Stephen A. Smith, who partnered with the app following his caught gameplay during the NBA Finals. Kimes admitted she failed to vet the company properly and felt ashamed of her promotion, especially given the legal issues faced by Papaya Gaming, the parent company of Solitaire Cash, which is involved in a lawsuit over alleged use of bots and false advertising. Meanwhile, Michelle Beadle, a former ESPN host, criticized Smith on her podcast, calling him a 'monster' and accusing ESPN of enabling his rise to prominence. Beadle claimed Smith is overly ambitious and disrespectful, and she refused to share a set with him. Smith announced he will host two shows on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, replacing Beadle’s show, with one focusing on sports and the other on politics and culture. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within sports media, with critics questioning Smith’s influence and the ethics of promotional practices involving gaming and media personalities.