Real Reason SiriusXM Abruptly Fired Michelle Beadle
Real Reason SiriusXM Abruptly Fired Michelle Beadle
The world of sports media has experienced another shake-up as veteran broadcaster Michelle Beadle has been fired from SiriusXM Radio. According to The Athletic, SiriusXM officially “parted ways” with Beadle and her co-host Cody Decker on Thursday, ending their show “Beadle and Decker.” This latest career setback follows Beadle’s previous departure from ESPN, where she once served as host of NBA Countdown.
This isn’t the first major network transition for Beadle, who has built a career across multiple sports media platforms. Before her SiriusXM role, she worked at ESPN in various capacities, including co-hosting SportsNation and serving as the NBA Countdown host. Her ESPN tenure ended with a reported $5 million buyout, after which she was replaced by Maria Taylor on the network’s NBA coverage. The timing of her SiriusXM departure is particularly notable as her timeslot will now reportedly be filled by Stephen A. Smith, with whom she has had a contentious relationship dating back to disagreements over his comments on the Ray Rice domestic violence case.
SiriusXM Shakes Up Its Lineup
Major changes have hit SiriusXM’s sports radio landscape as the network confirmed the departure of Michelle Beadle and Cody Decker. The news broke on Thursday evening through industry insider Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, sending ripples through the sports media world.
The timing comes as a surprise to many listeners and industry observers. Beadle’s contract reportedly wasn’t set to expire until August 2025, and she had publicly expressed her intention to continue her professional duties until then. “We’ll show up,” Beadle had mentioned to Front Office Sports just days before the announcement.
In their place, Stephen A. Smith will be joining the SiriusXM lineup, taking over the time slot previously occupied by “Beadle & Decker.” Smith expressed enthusiasm about his new role at the network:
- “To say that I’m excited would be an understatement”
- “I’ve been on Mad Dog before, had the time of my life”
- “I get to reunite with my guy, Mad Dog, on his turf”
The “Beadle & Decker” show had been airing weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Eastern on Mad Dog Sports Radio since August 2023. The program had built a following for its candid sports commentary and the chemistry between the hosts.
This restructuring represents another significant shift for Beadle, who previously anchored major programming at ESPN before joining SiriusXM. The network appears to be making strategic moves to reshape its weekday lineup, potentially with an eye toward strengthening its Saturday nights offerings as well.
For listeners who have grown accustomed to Beadle and Decker’s perspectives and banter, the change marks the end of an era on Mad Dog Sports Radio. Meanwhile, Smith continues to expand his media footprint beyond his established presence at ESPN.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
