Report: Michael Smith Leaving SportsCenter, SC6 To End

One month ago we learned Jemele Hill would no longer co-host the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter alongside Michael Smith. Hill left to join The Undefeated, an ESPN microsite that blends sports and culture.

Meanwhile, her co-host, Michael Smith, has been holding down the fort at SC6. Two weeks ago, Smith appeared on James Andrew Miller's latest Origins podcast, and talked about ESPN changing the vision of "SC6."

During the interview, Smith revealed ESPN hit the "panic button" SC6, and voiced his displeasure with management. The writing on the wall began with that interview, and now, according to Richard Deistch of Sports Illustrated, Smith is leaving SportsCenter.

Sports Illustrated has learned that Michael Smith’s last day as an ESPN SportsCenter host will be Friday.

Although Jemele had her own reasons for leaving the show, Smith also appeared to be frustrated. He cited ESPN's lack of respect for the vision he and Jemele saw for the show, which including their dialogue on set.

"It was very frustrating behind the scenes and on camera. … They got what they wanted, which was Michael and Jemele being muted. And that frustrated the s–t out of us."

The show lasted just over a year. Smith still has multiple years left on his contract with ESPN, and will likely carve out a new niche for himself.

[Sports Illustrated]