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ESPNers are apparently not happy with Stephen A. Smith during his contract negotiation with the company.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Smith had turned down $18 million/year from ESPN in a new contract.
This week, Smith went viral on social media when he compared himself to Cowboys QB Dak Prescott when justifying asking ESPN for a $100 million ccontract during an interview with Boardroom.
Via Boardroom
“Dak Prescott just signed a contract for $240M, he’s making $60M a year… [and] has won 2 playoff games in 8 years. I’ve been No. 1 for 12 [years]. In our respective industries, I win. I’m fully aware what I’m worth.”
According to a new report from The US Sun, employees on First Take are furious with Smith for talking about his contract negotiations in public while they’re worried about gettig laid off he gets paid big money by ESPN.
Via The US Sun
“A lof of us are scared that those requests will push ESPN to cut cost in order to give him his money, and that many of us, and people from the crew will get fired, get rid of when the decision will be made.”
The source further emphasized that they felt Stephen A. earning a large chunk of the show’s budget could put peoples’ jobs at risk.
Members of the show also invented a new nickname for Stephen A, “Mr. Greed,” to mock his pursuit of a $25 million per year contract.
“We aren’t talking only about Stephen A. Smith’s requests for salary, we also talk about how it will have also consequences on his close circle of guys on the show,” the source continued.
Seems like thingd could get nasty behind the scenes at ESPN if they don’t sign Smith to a new contract soon.