Several ESPN hosts, including Mina Kimes, Laura Rutledge, and Stephen A. Smith, are under fire for supporting Papaya Gaming’s mobile gaming software Solitaire Cash. The app is facing many lawsuits alleging that bots posing as actual players were used to control its games. Fans are worried about the issue and have questioned ESPN’s involvement in the app’s promotion.
How the scandal escalated
Stephen A. Smith was caught on camera playing solitaire on his phone during Game 4 of the NBA Finals rather than watching the game he was analysing, which sparked the controversy. The video went viral and generated a lot of conversation on social media.
A few months later, Smith shared an AI-generated advertisement that related to the past incident and became an official ambassador for Papaya Gaming and the forthcoming 2026 World Solitaire Championship. Fans have criticised the move, and the reaction over the app’s alleged dishonest methods has intensified.
Y’all really mad I was playing Solitaire during the Finals?
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 3, 2025
Maybe ask yourself why. Join now for the first time ever – World Solitaire Championship.
Starting today on the Solitaire Cash App
Download Now 👇🏾
Lawsuits surrounding Papaya Gaming
Papaya Gaming, the developer of Solitaire Cash, is facing multiple lawsuits alleging the use of bots disguised as real players to manipulate game outcomes. Plaintiffs claim the games were not skill-based as advertised. A federal judge recently denied Papaya’s motion to dismiss a major case, with court documents citing evidence of tailored bots influencing tournament results. These allegations raise serious concerns about fairness and transparency in gameplay.
Players contend that they thought they were playing against actual opponents, only to find out they might have been up against artificial intelligence (AI) bots that were created to manipulate results. Whether this technique breaches consumer protection laws and erodes trust is at the heart of the claims. Papaya Gaming has refuted the lawsuit’s allegations, claiming it hasn’t utilised bots since late 2023 and will present evidence in court. Despite these guarantees, the corporation faces substantial obstacles due to continuing legal procedures and worries about player trust.
ESPN personalities under fire
Stephen A. Smith was the only official ambassador, but several other ESPN figures took part in a promotional campaign for the mobile gaming app. Those involved included Laura Rutledge, Dan Orlovsky, Mina Kimes, Kendrick Perkins, and Ros Gold-Onwude, each posting ads tagged with #ad and #BeatStephen to encourage downloads.
Former ESPN host Michelle Beadle criticised the endorsement on her podcast, calling it “gross” and accusing Stephen A. Smith of lacking principles. She also questioned ESPN for supporting behaviour that, in her words, made the network look like fools.
On her Beadle and Decker podcast, she commented, “I’m not a religious person, but I pray for the downfall. I really do. It’s gross, man. You’ve got to have principles in this thing. 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 cheque in the first place.”
Fan backlash gains momentum
The social media response was largely negative, with many users criticising the endorsements and questioning the ethics behind them. One comment read: “Sorry, Laura, but product promotion by on-air talent is at an unacceptable level.”
Fans expressed their frustration online, posting comments such as “Are you low on cash?”, “This is unacceptable,” and “Corporate greed at its finest.” The backlash highlights growing scrutiny of celebrity endorsements, particularly when they involve companies facing allegations of fraud.
Mina Kimes issues public apology
Mina Kimes addressed the controversy publicly, apologising for promoting the app without reviewing it beforehand, calling it “a colossal mistake” on her part. Her statement quickly gained traction online, drawing millions of views. While many fans appreciated her transparency, the incident highlighted the scale of the backlash surrounding the endorsements.
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