ESPN is attempting onerous to not let Stephen A. Smith depart the community.
The “Worldwide Leader in Sports” has reportedly supplied a whopping $90 million over 5 years to maintain Smith, a veteran on the hit morning present “First Take,” to remain on board, per Puck News.
Smith’s contract with ESPN is about to run out in 2025.
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Stephen A. Smith on the Disney 2024 upfront presentation held at North Javits Center on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety through Getty Images)
ESPN additionally reportedly pitched to Smith’s company, WME, that he might grow to be the highest-paid expertise on their group.
The deal that ESPN reportedly supplied Smith would work out to $18 million per yr, however Puck News is saying that Smith is on the lookout for $7 million greater than that for his subsequent deal.
Journalist James Andrew Miller made an look lately on the “SI Media with Jimmy Traina” podcast, the place he famous Smith wanting a “massive, massive quantity” when it was time to place ink on a brand new deal.
“I feel there have been preliminary talks already which have began,” Miller stated of Smith and ESPN. “He’s on the lookout for a giant, massive quantity. And I additionally really feel, given the content material world, he doesn’t even must have one other supply from one entity for that massive quantity.
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“I feel what ESPN is up in opposition to is the chance that WME might exit and create an structure the place Stephen A. has a podcast, a this, a cope with this, a cope with that, no matter, and on the finish of the day, it’s $20 million a yr.”
ESPN has been doling out offers lately to high expertise, together with Pat McAfee, who reportedly bought a five-year, $85 million deal to maneuver his wildly-popular “The Pat McAfee Show” to the community, whereas additionally being a featured panelist on “College Gameday” amongst different gigs.
While ESPN has made makes an attempt to steer clear of politics, the community permits Stephen A. Smith to debate something he desires on his private podcast. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE through Getty Images)
There was additionally the start of the 2022 NFL season, when ESPN lured Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to their “Monday Night Football” broadcast, the place Aikman reportedly obtained the same deal to what was simply supplied to Smith, in response to the New York Post.
Smith has been a long-time expertise at ESPN, becoming a member of the community in 2003 whereas serving because the Philadelphia Inquirer common sports activities columnist, a title he held from 1994-2010. Smith’s scorching takes had been excellent to go in opposition to Skip Bayless, as “First Take” took off.
Stephen A. Smith attends a playoff basketball sport between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on May 8, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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Smith has since been the first speaking head for the present, and he additionally has his “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” the place he discusses extra than simply sports activities in the course of the podcast.
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