ESPN is trying hard to keep Stephen A. Smith from leaving the network.
The “worldwide leader in sports” has reportedly offered Smith, a veteran of the popular morning show “First Take,” a massive $90 million over five years to keep him on the team. Pack News.
Smith’s contract with ESPN is set to expire in 2025.
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Stephen A. Smith attends the Disney 2024 Upfront Presentation at the North Javits Center on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (Christina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)
ESPN also reportedly pitched Smith’s agent, WME, that he could become the team’s highest-paid talent.
ESPN reportedly offered Smith a contract worth $18 million per year, but Puck News reports Smith wants $7 million more on his next contract.
Journalist James Andrew Miller recently wrote: “SI Media and Jimmy Traina” On the podcast, Smith said that when it came time to sign a new contract he asked for “a really big amount of money.”
“I think there are preliminary discussions already underway with ESPN,” Miller said of Smith and the company. “He’s asking a very large amount of money, and I don’t think he even needs to get an offer from another company to get that large amount of money, given the content world.”
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“I think what ESPN is facing is the possibility that WME could go out and create a structure where Stephen A. has a podcast and a deal with this and a deal with that and it could end up being $20 million a year.”
ESPN has made some big-name talent signings in recent years, including Pat McAfee, who signed a five-year, $85 million deal to bring his wildly popular show, “The Pat McAfee Show,” to ESPN and also serves as a panelist on shows like “College GameDay.”
ESPN has tried to stay away from politics, but the network allows Stephen A. Smith to talk about whatever he wants on his podcast. (Mike Kirshbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)
With the 2022 NFL season approaching, ESPN has approached Joe Buck and Troy Aikman about hosting its “Monday Night Football” broadcasts, with Aikman reportedly receiving a contract similar to the one offered to Smith. New York Post.
Smith is a longtime ESPN veteran, having joined the network in 2003 from his previous position as general sports columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010. When “First Take” became popular, Smith’s outspoken opinions made him a perfect counterweight to Skip Bayless.
Stephen A. Smith attended a playoff basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on May 8, 2023. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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Smith has since served as the show’s main commentator and also has his own podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” where he covers non-sports topics.
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