Stephen A. Smith faces backlash after First Take comments demanding Rose Bowl game be moved because of 'traffic'
Charlotte Adams
Published Sep 20, 2026
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has divided football fans by suggesting the Rose Bowl should be moved to SoFi Stadium.
The veteran sportscaster, 56, suggested the oldest NCAA football postseason game should change venue because of traffic.
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Stephen A. made the comments during Wednesday's edition of First Take.
The Rose Bowl has been played at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena since its construction in 1923.
It has been moved from the venue just twice in a century - once in 1942 due to World War II, and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Smith first argued that the iconic game be moved across Los Angeles to the $5.5 billion SoFi arena on Tuesday.
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He told ESPN viewers: "How about having the Rose Bowl at SoFi? How about that?
"There are a bunch of things in life that are historical, that are historical, okay. That damn traffic in Pasadena, c’mon, y’all!"
On Wednesday's show, when challenged by host Molly Qerim and ex-NFL star Marcus Spears, Smith doubled down.
Stephen A. argued: "SoFi is a spectacular stadium, and all I’m trying to say is you’ve got 100,000 people showing up.
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"Literally, you get off the highway, so traffic is backed up for miles trying to get off the exit.
"It’s only one lane, and 100,000 people. It’s difficult to get to the damn game!
"I swear to you, if I could have, I’d have took a helicopter there. Traffic was that bad."
Stephen A.'s controversial take didn't go down too well with some fans on social media.
One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "SoFi doesn’t allow tailgating. The Rose Bowl is the best tailgating in the country."
Another commented: "Stephen A is as usual wrong, The Rose Bowl needs to be the permanent spot of the national title game."
"Wait until he finds out how horrible the traffic is going to SoFi," a third added.
A fourth said: "Maybe the worst take of all time."
And Fox Sports analyst Geoff Schwartz wrote on his X account: "Thoughts and prayers to the college football casuals who have to sit in traffic once a year to attend a game."
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The Michigan Wolverines triumphed in this year's Rose Bowl, defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 after overtime.
Stephen A. appears on First Take every weekday on ESPN from 10 am ET.
