phen A. Smith Sparks Firestorm by Backing Riley Gaines in Heated Debate Over Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports

Stephen A. Smith, one of the most prominent voices in American sports media, made headlines Wednesday by venturing into one of the most contentious topics in modern athletics: the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. During an episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the ESPN personality welcomed conservative activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines for a candid and, at times, explosive discussion.

Gaines, who rose to national attention after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 2022 NCAA Championships, has since become a central figure in the conservative campaign to restrict trans women from competing in women’s sports divisions. Her advocacy has made her both a hero and a lightning rod—praised by some as a protector of fairness and condemned by others as a purveyor of exclusion.

The topic took on new urgency this week after Gaines publicly criticized Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender softball pitcher who led Champlin Park High School to a dominant win in the Minnesota state championship. Rothenberger’s performance—five straight wins, 35 innings pitched, and just two runs allowed—was labeled by Gaines as proof of “unfair advantages” that she says violate Title IX.

Joining Smith on his show, Gaines doubled down.

“In Minnesota, this individual — a biological male — pitched five consecutive games, totaling 35 innings and allowing just two runs,” she stated. “Their team had never even made it to the state tournament before. This year, with a transgender athlete leading the charge, they win it all. That’s not coincidence—that’s a fundamental problem.”

Smith didn’t hesitate to voice his agreement.

“I believe in live and let live,” he began. “But this? This is about fairness. Women should compete against women. Transgender athletes should have their own category. Period.”

His comments stunned some viewers who expected Smith to toe a more progressive line, especially given his past statements in support of LGBTQ+ rights. But for Smith, the issue was less about politics and more about competitive integrity.

“This isn’t hate,” he emphasized. “This is about logic. You can support equality and still recognize that allowing biological males to dominate female competition undermines everything Title IX was meant to protect.”

The segment instantly ignited backlash—and support.

Simone Biles Pushes Back

Earlier in the week, Olympic icon Simone Biles responded to Gaines’ criticism of Rothenberger with a pointed rebuttal on social media.

“Why not advocate for trans athletes to have their own space instead of tearing them down?” Biles wrote. “This isn’t about fairness—it’s about fear. Let’s be better.”

Her comments sparked a flurry of debate, with supporters of Biles accusing Gaines of bullying and using isolated incidents to fuel a political agenda. Journalists like Jemele Hill and Nancy Armour echoed that sentiment, suggesting Gaines’ rhetoric lacked empathy and created unnecessary division.

But Smith’s platform offered something different—a place where Gaines’ perspective wasn’t just tolerated but actively embraced.

“People want to shut this conversation down,” Smith said. “But I’m not one of those people. I think Riley’s raising real concerns, and we should be able to discuss them without being shouted down or labeled hateful.”

The Bigger Picture: Sports, Politics, and Identity Collide

Smith’s willingness to platform Gaines reflects his broader ambitions. In recent months, the veteran sports commentator has openly expressed his desire to shift into Rogan-esque territory—hosting discussions that blend sports, politics, and culture in a way that challenges traditional media boundaries.

“This isn’t just about who wins a race or a game,” he said. “It’s about who we are as a society. What rules we live by. What fairness looks like. And if we can’t have that conversation, then we’ve already lost.”

For Gaines, who has appeared on Fox News and testified before Congress, the mainstream support from someone as influential as Smith is a significant moment.

“I’m not going away,” she told Smith. “This movement isn’t going away. And the more people speak up, the more momentum we build.”

Smith nodded. “You’ve got a voice, and I respect how you use it. Whether people agree or not, they need to hear it.”

Reactions Pour In

As clips from the interview circulated online, the reaction was predictably polarized.

On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #ProtectWomensSports and #TransRightsAreHumanRights trended simultaneously. Some fans praised Smith for “breaking ranks” with ESPN’s often progressive tone, while others accused him of amplifying hate.

“Stephen A. just gave a platform to bigotry,” one user wrote. “So disappointed.”

Others had a different view: “This is what real dialogue looks like. Kudos to Stephen A. for saying what many are afraid to.”

What’s Next?

The segment may signal a new era for The Stephen A. Smith Show, one where sports analysis intersects more frequently with social debates. And for Riley Gaines, it’s a boost in credibility as she continues pushing for athletic policies that reflect her convictions.

For Simone Biles and her allies, however, the fight is far from over. They argue the answer lies not in exclusion, but in innovation—finding ways to include trans athletes while preserving competitive fairness.

The one thing both sides agree on? The conversation isn’t ending anytime soon.