Several of ESPN’s biggest on-air figures are being criticized for promoting a mobile gaming app now accused of deceptive practices. Stephen A. Smith, Laura Rutledge, Mina Kimes, and others are facing intense backlash after endorsing Solitaire Cash, a real-money gaming app operated by Papaya Gaming, which is currently the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging that its games were “rigged” through the use of bots posing as real players.

The controversy comes just months after Smith went viral for playing solitaire on his phone during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. That viral moment has now evolved into a full-blown sponsorship deal.

Earlier this week, Smith was named the official ambassador for Papaya Gaming and the upcoming World Solitaire Championship, scheduled to take place in Miami in February 2026. Smith celebrated the partnership by sharing an AI-generated video ad on social media, parodying the moment he was caught playing solitaire courtside. “Y’all really mad I was playing Solitaire during the Finals? Maybe ask yourself why. Join now for the first time ever — World Solitaire Championship,” Smith posted on X (formerly Twitter), according to Yahoo Sports.

Fans Call Endorsements “Gross” Amid Lawsuit Allegations

Fans and critics alike have slammed the ESPN host for the sponsorship. Former ESPN personality Michelle Beadle, who has a long history of feuding with Smith, called the deal “gross.” On her Beadle and Decker podcast, she remarked, “I’m not a religious person, but I pray for the downfall. I really do. It’s gross, man. You gotta have principles in this thing.”

Beadle didn’t stop there, adding, “ESPN pays him a gazillion dollars to get a lot of stuff wrong and yell. He gets caught playing solitaire during the NBA freaking Finals, the thing he’s an expert in. He made you look like fools for handing him a blank check in the first place.”

Her comments come as Papaya Gaming faces a growing list of legal troubles. The company is being sued for allegedly falsely marketing its mobile games as “skill-based” while using bots to manipulate outcomes. A federal judge recently denied Papaya’s request for summary judgment in a case brought by competitor Skillz Platform Inc., allowing the lawsuit to proceed. The court noted evidence suggesting that “Papaya used tailored bots to control the outcomes of tournaments,” enabling the company to determine who won or lost “no matter how they performed.”

ESPN Figures Face Backlash Over Paid Promotions

While Smith was the only person formally named as a Papaya ambassador, several other ESPN talents participated in promoting the game online. Dan Orlovsky, Laura Rutledge, Kendrick Perkins, Mina Kimes, and Ros Gold-Onwude all posted paid advertisements tagged with #ad and #BeatStephen, inviting fans to download the app and compete against Smith.

Rutledge wrote on X, “Ad @stephenasmith who’s the winner now?! Who else wants the sweet taste of @solitairecash victory? Download, join in #BeatStephen and don’t forget to share your score.” Orlovsky’s post read, “Ad Alright @stephenasmith ….you got me this time But I’m coming back stronger — who’s joining me in the @solitairecash #BeatStephen challenge?!”

The fan reaction was overwhelmingly negative. One user replied, “Gross, man.” Another wrote, “Are you low on cash? What the heck is this?” Others accused ESPN personalities of “corporate greed,” with one comment reading, “Sorry, Laura, the product promotion by on-air talent has reached a level that is unacceptable.”

Mina Kimes Issues Public Apology as Controversy Escalates

The online backlash prompted ESPN analyst Mina Kimes to issue an apology to her more than 900,000 followers on X. “The truth is: I didn’t spend any time looking into the whole thing, and that’s 100% on me,” she admitted. “Thought it was just typical marketing work, and I’m deeply embarrassed I didn’t vet it. A colossal f***-up on my part.” Her post has since been viewed more than 6 million times.

Papaya Gaming has denied wrongdoing, stating that its games have not used bots since November 2023 and that it intends to “vigorously prove” that the accusations are false. However, lawsuits continue to allege that Papaya “rigged” its platform by using bots “masquerading as human players,” manipulating player outcomes, and misleading consumers.

Despite the legal cloud and public criticism, Smith and other ESPN personalities have not retracted their promotions. ESPN has also not issued a statement regarding its employees’ involvement in the campaign.

For now, the backlash continues to grow, with fans expressing disappointment over what they see as an increasing trend of sports figures — both athletes and broadcasters — monetizing their fame through questionable endorsements. As one commenter put it bluntly: “Everyone needs to make money, but this is too far.”