Popular sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has been a staple of the network since joining in 2003. Over the years, he has regularly appeared on popular shows such as SportsCenter and First Take.
Currently, Smith is under contract with ESPN until June 2025, but he is already looking ahead to his next deal. During his recent appearance on “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace,” Smith discussed his thoughts on negotiating a new contract, making it clear that he knows his worth.
“I’m not getting specific as it pertains to numbers, because only a fool discusses his own negotiations while negotiating. I would ask, respectfully, to pay attention to the industry, see what people are getting paid. See how much money they’re making and what they’re bringing to the table,” Smith said.
“Dak Prescott just signed a contract for $240 million. He’s making $60 million a year. Has won two playoff games in eight years. I’ve been No. 1 for 12 years. I’m sorry; in our respective industries I win, and I’m fully aware of what I’m worth, and I will never apologize to that for anybody,” he added.
ESPN Faces Internal Strain Over Stephen A. Smith’s Salary Requests
Recent reports suggest that no one in ESPN wants Stephen A. Smith as a colleague. Now, Smith’s high contract demands are reportedly causing concerns at ESPN. As the popular First Take analyst seeks a new deal, one insider shared their fears with The U.S. Sun, explaining how Smith’s demands could potentially impact the show’s budget.
“The situation about Stephen A. Smith bringing tons of attention to his salary requests and the fact that he wants to be the most paid guy on TV and asks for 25 million per year adds a lot of tension to the team, to the journalists who aren’t on his small circle, king’s court’ and on the crew, as it will literally explode the budget of the show,” the person said.
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Smith’s new deal could make him the highest-paid personality on television. The stakes are high for ESPN, which now faces a tough decision on how to handle one of its most influential figures.
