Stephen A. Smith has been tipped to leave ESPN, with a former colleague claiming that the outspoken ‘First Take’ host has realized that he’s being underpaid by The Worldwide Leader in Sports and is building a brand outside of the network that will allow him to pull off a smooth transition.
Dan Le Batard reckons Stephen A. is not looking to remain with ESPN in the long term given that he brings in the most money and is one of the hardest workers yet is still not the highest-paid personality.
“Let me explain what’s happening to you for those who don’t understand because it’s pretty simple, it’s not that complicated,” Le Batard said on ‘The Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz’.
“The biggest star at ESPN has realized he’s underpaid.”
Le Batard added that the journalist is simply building his next business with his appearances on ‘First Take”
Smith does have a lot going on nowadays. Apart from his daily sessions on ‘First Take’, he appears on several other shows across ESPN and covers live NBA games. He has also launched his own very successful podcast and does great work on social media too.
“The dude is using ESPN as he grows his band, as he becomes synonymous with that brand, but also trying to distance himself a little bit and building out the video aspect of his next step,” Michael Ryan Ruiz added.
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This is not all that far-fetched as Smith recently told OutKick’s Clay Travis that he will be looking for more money when his contract runs out next year. This is after claiming to be underpaid while speaking during ‘First Take’ a little over a year ago.
“I’ve mastered my own business in the world of sports television,” he explained.
“Yes. I’m not stuttering. Hell, yes, that’s absolutely true,” he replied after being asked whether he feels like he deserves a pay hike. “I’ve been number one for 12 years. April 1st will mark 12 consecutive years I’ve been number one.
“Not only have I been number one every year, I’ve been number one every week and every month of every year for the last 12 years.
“You don’t get to say that about too many people. I look at whether it’s Pat McAfee, it’s Mike Greenberg, it’s Scott Van Pelt, it’s Troy Aikman, it’s Joe Buck, it’s Kirk Herbstreit. The list goes on and on.
“I’m so honored to have the colleagues that I have that I work with at ESPN every day.
“And at the end of the day, it would be nice, one day, for this man to stand before everyone and be like, ‘I’m number one and this says I’m number one.'”
Smith is believed to be on a $12 million a year salary at ESPN. It will be interesting to see how he handles his upcoming contract situation.
