ESPN UFC reporter Megan Olivey felt that co-worker Stephen A. “Really hurt” after Smith failed to include him in a tweet celebrating the network’s all-male team covering the UFC.
Smith hit “brag” on Twitter in late March about ESPN’s UFC team. Writing, “Forgive me for bragging, but we’ve got the best @ufc coverage in the world on ESPN +.”
The “First Take” host went on to tag the likes of ESPN’s staff, former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion commentator Daniel Cormier, and MMA color commentator Joe Rogan.
At the time, Olivi responded to Smith’s tweet: “Umm hey there – you’re forgetting someone,” with a smiling emoji. Smith did not publicly respond.
On Friday April 23, Olivie talked about Smith’s lack of acceptance for her work as the only woman on ESPN’s UFC pay-per-view team.
During a Q&A post UFC 261, he said, “It was very hard for me,” when a reporter noted that UFC fans applauded the “clap-backs” on Smith.
“I don’t love social media in general, but then to play such a big role in terms of pre and post fight interviews, like I’m doing them on a site. Then to do all the hits on the broadcast and this To be part of the team and literally the only woman on the pay-per-view team.
“The female is not a desk host, there is no pre- or post-show; It is really just me and I have worked to be here. I was not assigned this. It has been a very long journey, because those who have seen me 10 years ago, I am sure, can attest. I have done everything right to get here, and not getting the acknowledgment as my male colleagues got, I was really hurt. It’s nice to see that the MMA community has my back on it. “
“It is unfortunately something that the women in this room have dealt with before and will have to continue to deal with,” Olivi said.
As to Smith’s intention behind the tweet, Olivey stated that he did not think he kept her out of purpose.
“I don’t think there was any malfeasance, I don’t think he was trying to be rude in any way – I think it didn’t really matter to him.”
Two days after Olivie’s comments, Smith included her in a Separate tweet “Props once again” to ESPN’s UFC team.
Olivi’s issue with Smith came just weeks after Smith publicly apologized when he issued a public apology on “First Take” for blasting his ESPN affiliates under the network’s NBA Best 25 under 25 list.
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