ESPN star sounds off on transgender athletes in women’s sports debate
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Outspoken ESPN star Stephen A. Smith has taken a clear position in the ongoing debate over transgender athletes’ participation in girls and women’s sports.
“Biological boys should not be competing with biological girls in sports,” Smith said. “Real Time with Bill Maher” After the Olympics, policy towards trans women was mentioned.
“How about protecting the young ladies? There’s no excuse for that when young ladies oppose biological males—biological men.”
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Stephen A. Smith joined Bill Maher on the March 27 episode of “Real Time” to discuss policy and who can lead both parties moving forward. (Real Time via Bill Maher/YouTube)
Smith then mentioned former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas.
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“Lia Thomas, for example, was a man and was ranked No. 400 in the world. … Then she became a woman. … And she was No. 1. So… does it really take an Einstein to understand that there is something wrong with this picture?”
Sadie Schreiner wears a transgender flag in her hair before heading to the awards stand after finishing third in the final of the 200-meter race at the 2024 NCAA Division III outdoor track and field championships at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium on May 25, 2024 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Jahi Chikwendiu/Washington Post via Getty Images)
Smith has previously spoken out about his views on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, including in a Radio Row interview in February 2025 ahead of that year’s Super Bowl.
“That’s the way I look at it. I fully support LGBTQ rights and other things, but when transgender athletes — men — transition to women and compete in women’s sports, that’s a different animal to me,” she said.
“This isn’t just about LGBTQ rights. This is about plundering the rights of women born female everywhere, and they are absolutely disadvantaged.”
Stephen A. Smith (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Smith’s comments emerged around the same time that President Donald Trump signed the “Exclusion of Men from Women’s Sports” executive order in 2025, directing federal agencies to interpret Title IX based on biological sex at birth.
The NCAA complied with Trump’s executive order and changed its policy.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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