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 stance in the ongoing debate over transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ and women’s sports.
“Biological males should not compete with biological females in sports, period,” Smith said during an appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” after the Olympics’ policy on transgender women was brought up.
“What about protecting young girls? Young girls going against biological men – biological men – there’s no excuse for that.”
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Stephen A. Smith joined Bill Maher on the March 27 episode of “Real Time,” discussing politics and who could potentially lead both parties in the future. (Live with 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 he was ranked above 400th in the world. …And then he became a woman. …And No. 1. Well…do you really have to be an Einstein to realize that there’s something wrong with that picture?”
Sadie Schreiner puts a transgender flag in her hair before walking 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, South Carolina. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Smith has previously spoken about his views on transgender athletes in women’s and women’s sports, including during a Radio Row interview in February 2025 ahead of that year’s Super Bowl.
“So that’s how I look at it. LGBTQ rights and all that, I fully support them, but when transgender athletes – men – transition to women and they’re competing in women’s sports, it’s a different animal to me,” he said.
“It’s not just about LGBTQ rights. It’s also about attacking the rights of women around the world who were born female, and they are at a distinct disadvantage.”
Stephen A. Smith (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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These comments from Smith surfaced around the same time, in 2025, when President Donald Trump signed the “Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order, which directed federal agencies to interpret Title IX based on biological sex at birth.
The NCAA complied with Trump’s executive order and changed its policy.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News contributed to this report.
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