Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Mat Ishbia fires back at Stephen A. Smith: ‘disrespectful and inappropriate’

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Reyna Stanley | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 9:31 AM ET

PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is pushing back after ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called him “on the verge of being the worst owner in the history of basketball,” labeling the comments as “disrespectful” and dismissing them as little more than performative outrage.

The remarks came after the Suns fired head coach Mike Budenholzer on Monday, marking their third coaching change in as many years since Ishbia purchased the team. Smith blasted the franchise’s instability on First Take, claiming Ishbia was “on the trajectory” to being worse that infamously disgraced owners like Donald Sterling and James Dolan.

Ishbia didn’t hold back in his response.

“I don’t take much of what he says seriously. I don’t think many people do, to be honest,” Ishbia said while addressing the media. “The things he said about Kevin Durant, just wrong and disrespectful. The things he said about Lebron James were just disrespectful and inappropriate.”

Ishbia pushed back specifically on Smith’s comparison to Sterling and Dolan: “To even say that kind of stuff…I think he’ll apologize. I think he was just out of line. And I think he knows that. I don’t think he really believes that.”

I look forward to responding to this on @FirstTake tomorrow morning. I love how folks intentionally misconstrue just to avoid the real subject at hand….what I was really saying. But that’s okay! I look very much forward to providing clarification. My pleasure. See y’all in the… https://t.co/xcXY29zi5S

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 17, 2025

Since purchasing the Suns in 2023, Ishbia has made high-profile moves: acquiring stars like Durant and Bradley Beal, investing in a $100 million Mercury facility, offering free local game broadcasts, and slashing concession prices at the PHX Arena. Still, the results on the court have failed to meet expectations, with the Suns making early playoff exits or not even making the post season at all in the past two seasons.

“What makes a great owner? My job is to provide resources,” Ishbia said. “If the GM, front office want something; if players [want something], I say yes. I focus on winning, the community, and the fan experience. That’s what I think a great owner should do.”

Smith, in response to the clip on Ishbia’s rebuttal, promise further comments Friday morning on First Take, saying he looker forward to “providing clarification.”

With the Suns’ season over, Durant reportedly evaluating his future, and questions swirling about the franchise’s direction, Ishbia is defending his role in the spotlight.

“Winning is part of my job too,” Isbia said. “But there’s a lot of things a great owner would do, and to even put me in that category — I think that’s disrespectful.”

Whether Smith apologizes or doubles down, one thing is clear: the Suns’ offseason is already heating up — and it’s not just about basketball.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: