Stephen A's Take: NBA is big business. Ja Morant, gun gestures is bad for your business too.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Summary of "NBA is Big Business. Ja Morant, Gun Gestures are Bad for Your Business Too"

Release Date: April 5, 2025

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into the controversial actions of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and the broader implications for the NBA as a major business entity. The discussion is both passionate and insightful, highlighting the delicate balance between athlete expression and league regulations.

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Ja Morant's Recent Controversy and Fine

At 01:13, Stephen A. Smith addresses the recent incident involving Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant, who was fined $75,000 by the NBA for mimicking a shooting gesture with his finger during a game. This fine follows previous warnings to Morant and Warriors guard Draymond Green for similar actions.

Quote:
"We need to get to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, who was just fined $75,000 by the league for mimicking a shooting gun with his finger."
— Stephen A. Smith at 01:13

Smith emphasizes that the fine indicates that Morant "got off easy," suggesting that the league is taking a firm stance on such gestures to maintain its business integrity.

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Stephen A.'s Perspective on Ja Morant and NBA's Stance

Stephen A. expresses a nuanced view of Ja Morant, acknowledging his talent while criticizing his recent actions. He recalls Morant's initial suspension for similar behavior and subsequent injuries that derailed his promising career.

Quote:
"John Morant is fantastic. He has superstar potential... Nobody's looking to bring you down."
— Stephen A. Smith at 03:15

However, Smith underscores the importance of professionalism, stating that Morant's actions jeopardize endorsement deals and the NBA's lucrative partnerships. He highlights the financial repercussions, noting that Morant's behavior could potentially cost him $40 to $50 million in endorsements.

Quote:
"The NBA gets an 11-year, $76 billion deal because they acquiesce to and appease sponsors and advertisers... it hurts their bottom line."
— Stephen A. Smith at 05:45

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The Business Implications for the NBA and Players

Smith elaborates on how the NBA's strict policies are influenced by its substantial revenue streams from advertisers and sponsors. He explains that maintaining a positive brand image is crucial for the league's continued financial success.

Quote:
"It's a business. And the reason why the NBA can be a bit invasive and a bit stringent and a bit meticulous at times is because they have to answer to the advertisers and sponsors who essentially provide revenue for the league."
— Stephen A. Smith at 06:10

He advises Morant and other players to recognize their role not just as athletes but as brand ambassadors who must uphold the league's standards to protect their careers and financial opportunities.

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Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Concluding the discussion, Stephen A. Smith offers support to Ja Morant, urging him to make wiser choices to ensure his career's longevity. He reassures that the NBA's regulations are not personal vendettas but necessary measures to safeguard the league's and players' mutual interests.

Quote:
"Don't let something this small get in the way... I got nothing but love for John Moran. I wish you nothing but the best."
— Stephen A. Smith at 06:50

Smith reiterates the importance of focusing on on-court performance and leveraging their platform positively, emphasizing that genuine talent coupled with smart decisions can lead to sustained success.

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Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersection between athlete behavior and business interests within the NBA. Stephen A. Smith effectively communicates the ramifications of Ja Morant's actions, not just for the player but for the league's broader economic landscape. His balanced approach offers both critique and support, emphasizing the need for professionalism in maintaining the integrity and profitability of the sport.

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Note: This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements and promotional segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions presented by Stephen A. Smith.

Transcript

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[Stephen A. Smith]

We need to get to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Moran, who was just fined $75,000 by the league for mimicking a shooting gun with his finger. The fine comes a day after the league warned Morant and Warriors guard, but he healed yesterday morning about the gesture following their game Tuesday night. And so Morant did it again last night. Here's what he had to say after the game when asked about criticisms of his actions. Quote I'm kind of used to it. I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it's going to be out there. So yeah, I don't care no more. End quote. So the NBA responded this morning with that $75,000 fine. You got off easy. Let's get that out the way first. You got that? You got off easy, number one. Number two, John Morant, we need to stop. Take that footage off the camera and put me on the camera, please. Got to stop, bro. First of all, stop with all of this negativity over the last two years. When you got into the situation where you was caught on Instagram, you know, waving a gun. First you got suspended for eight games, and then after that you got suspended for 25 games. Nobody was saying anything negative about you prior to those things. In the aftermath of all of that, all anybody's been looking for is your game. You came back, you got hurt you was out and that's what transpired. John Morant is fantastic. He has superstar potential. We knew he was on his way and then he got derailed because he got suspended and then ultimately injured. Nobody's looking to bring you down. I shouldn't say anybody because there's always haters and trolls and the level, the society that we live in with the negativity, et cetera, is ridiculous. But the flip side to it is that the world is in the palm of your hands. It's in your hands, the money that you're making, the money you stood to make with endorsement deals and all of that stuff. Particularly after Kyrie had his troubles and Madison Avenue came in your direction. You got derailed because of that. And between the suspensions and the endorsement or lack thereof that followed, it was speculated that you would cost over 40 to 50 million dollars. That would leave a whole bunch of people bitter. I get that part. But please don't. Please understand. Everybody that loves basketball should be rooting for you. For the record, John Morant isn't some awful dude. He's not some dude looking to start trouble. Neither is his dad. Dad's a little bit conspicuous at the games with the shades on and all stuff. He actually happens to be a real fun loving guy. Nobody's sitting up there rooting for you to fall on your face and fail. What we want to see is the greatness we've been seeing from you the last few games. When you dropped 36 in a loss to Steph Curry and Golden State, when he dropped 52 on you, you still had 36 that game. When you sat up there and dropped 30 last night and hit the game winning shot. When you talking smack and you backed it up. That's what we want to see. That's all we want to see. You don't want to get in trouble because you doing feigning gun signs and all of that, bro. It's not worth it. You are very, very important to the league, but you don't run the league. It existed before you got here and it's gonna be here when you gone. I'm telling you right now, I got nothing but love for John Moran. I wish you nothing but the best. You gotta be smart. It's a business. And the reason why the NBA can be a bit invasive and a bit stringent and a bit meticulous at times is because they have to answer the advertisers and sponsors who essentially provide revenue for the league. That's why the NBA gets an 11 year, $76 billion deal because they acquiesce to and appease sponsors and advertisers and that kind of thing hurts their bottom line. It's very simple. It's very simple. Don't let something this small get in the way. We know it's small. It's not a big deal. But it's a big deal the advertisers and sponsors. And as a result, it's a big deal to the brand that is the NBA, which you play, which umbrella you play under. That's all it is. That's all it is. Look at it this way, Ja. If you witch boys, they your crew and they cost you money because they do something relatively foolish, not necessarily harmful, not malicious, but they engage in activity that ain't smart. You gonna tell them to fix it or they gotta bounce. Cause you ain't gonna let them hurt your bottom line. That's what the NBA is saying to you. Just know that and operate accordingly and your career will continue to prosper and you'll be able to move on with your life and do what you do. Cause you that special bro. That's all.

[Jorge Ham]

Have you ever wondered, if your pet is lying to you, why is my.

[Science Expert]

Cat not here and I go in and she's eating my lunch?

[Jorge Ham]

Or if hypnotism is real, you will use the suggestion in order to enhance your cognitive controls. But what's inside a black hole?

[Science Expert]

Black holes could be a consequence of the way that we understand the universe.

[Jorge Ham]

Well, we have answers for you in the new iHeart original podcast, Science Stuff. Join me, Jorge Ham, as we answer questions about animals, space, our brains and our bodies. So give yourself permission to be a science geek and listen to science stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[A.J. Andrews]

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[Science Expert]

Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.