ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith broke his silence on reports that he was emerging as a potential 2028 Democratic candidate for president while speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

Smith, who was critical of President Donald Trump's return to office, despite having also said he felt like a "damn fool" for supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in her 2024 presidential campaign, said he will likely "still be doing sports" in four years, but acknowledged that his "voice will not fade from the political landscape" and would consider launching a campaign if called on by the American people.

"You know, rather than talk about me being an elected official or a runner for the president of the United States, how about if I'm somebody with a voice as strong as Sean Hannity's, as strong as Mark Levin's, as strong as Rachel Maddow. How about that?" Smith told the Daily Mail. "Because that's more plausible. However, I will confess, like I said, I have no desire to do this, but assuming that I'm well off, that I have lots of money, and money is no longer a concern, if the American people came to me and looked at me and said 'Yo, man, we want you to run for office,' and I had a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States, I'm not gonna lie. I'll think about that.

"But I gotta have my money. I'm not gonna go to the White House broke. I'm not gonna do that. I gotta have my money. I gotta have my home. I gotta have my financial situation completely taken care of. I have no concerns if that happens for me."

'If they told me I had a legitimate, bonafide shot to win the presidency of the United States of America, I would entertain it.

"Because the part that I'm not joking about is I believe I could beat every candidate on that poll. Every candidate that they mentioned, from Kamala Harris right on down to [Pete] Buttigieg and to Tim Walz. I'd beat all of them. I do believe that. I really do.'

Smith, 57, reportedly has a 2% share in a recent poll surveying potential Democratic candidates conducted by President Trump's former pollster John McLaughlin, which is 1% behind former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as well as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. The sports media personality is also reported to be 1% higher than Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke.

Former Vice President Harris is currently the overwhelming leader at 33%, the only candidate polling in double digits. Smith's inclusion came "because there were media reports about him talking about the presidency," according to McLaughlin.

"He got some support. He certainly got media attention. So he’s probably gone up. But he’d probably have to take a pay cut. Just like President Trump had to take a pay cut. So we’ll see,” McLaughlin told Front Office Sports.

Smith added to speculation by saying he "might entertain running" while appearing on the FOX News' Hannity on Tuesday (February 4) night.

"The Democratic Party looks so pathetic after this election; I might entertain running. I just might change my mind one day. I doubt it, but I might. Because how much would it take to beat y’all? And Trump can’t run again," he said before firmly stating that he has no plans to run.

"My lifestyle is quite lovely," he added. "I would not want to ruin that by running for the presidency of the United States of America. I have no interest, but I was just trying to make a profound point."

West Michigan's Morning News