THE HAMPTONS, UNITED STATES: Despite initial reports suggesting a potential romantic connection between Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian, ESPN analyst Stephen A Smith has stated that the two are simply friends. Smith addressed the rumors on his show, affirming that there is nothing more than a friendly relationship between the NFL legend and the reality TV mogul.

Daily Mail‘s exclusive report further supported this, revealing that Brady spent most of the evening with model Emily Ratajkowski, who is a friend of Kardashian, during Michael Rubin's Fourth of July party. Smith's comments provide clarity amid the speculation surrounding the nature of Brady and Kardashian's relationship. "They're just friends, ain't nothing going on," Smith said on the show. "But what if it was?" he wondered aloud and added, "Do your thing, bro."

‘We're not dating the Kardashians, Tom’

During his show, Stephen A Smith noted that even if there was a romantic connection between Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian, he would have no issue with it. Smith mentioned, “He was married 13 years. Giselle Bundchen."

Smith went on to say, “The greatest runway walk that I have ever seen was at the Olympics in Brazil years ago when that woman walked down that runway. Lord have mercy. That's a walk! But he's no longer with her.” Smith's comments suggest that he is open-minded about the possibility of Brady moving on and pursuing a new relationship, including with Kardashian.

"If Tom Brady ends up, you know, getting his groove on, I'm quite sure we shouldn't have a problem with that. 'There's absolutely, positively nothing wrong with Tom Brady if he was with Kim Kardashian,” he added. While Stephen A Smith expressed his support for a potential relationship between Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian, not all sports personalities shared the same enthusiasm. Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy said in a Twitter rant, “If he wants to f**k her, go f**k her in a motel and gossip and tell your friends … We're not dating the Kardashians, Tom. I can't have this … It makes me want to puke."

'He actually spent the evening with Emily Ratajkowski'

Rumors of a possible romance between Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian emerged when Kardashian was said to be looking to purchase a holiday home near Brady's in the Bahamas. Speculation grew further during the star-studded event, but sources have denied there was any significant interaction between the two.

A well-placed source who attended the event said, “He actually spent the evening with Emily Ratajkowski – they were together most of the night and looked very cozy. They didn't leave together but if anyone was getting close.” Ratajkowski also shared pictures and videos from the party but did not explicitly address her relationship with Brady.

Kardashian recently finalized her divorce from Kanye West, with whom she shares four children. Brady, on the other hand, announced his divorce from Gisele Bundchen after 13 years of marriage.