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ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is reportedly unhappy with an $18 million per year offer being made by the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.”
That initial deal was presented last week, but SAS believes his worth to be much, much more. In fact, it’s being said that the two sides are $7 million per year away in negotiations.
John Ourand of Puck.news posted details of the back-and-forth currently playing out between Smith and ESPN.
“ESPN has been working hard to re-sign Smith, whose contract ends in a year; last week ESPN made its initial offer of $18 million per year for five years. I’m told ESPN execs pitched Smith’s WME agents that he would be their highest-paid star, earning more than Monday Night Football’s Troy Aikman or Joe Buck.
“It’s an insane amount of dough for a TV personality… but it still might not be enough.”
He went further to imply that the end goal for Stephen A. Smith was $25 million per year, a number that would get him close to the $30 million brought in annually by Pat McAfee.
Of course, McAfee took a pay cut to come to ESPN, and he brought with him his own platform – The Pat McAfee Show.
Smith, while widely known in the sports world, can’t say the same.
The $7 million per year difference seems massive, leading a number of viewers to give their opinions on the situation.
Many are begging ESPN to walk away from Stephen A. Smith.
ESPN, Stephen A. Smith reportedly $7 million a year apart in negotiations https://t.co/LvCzXpG4vT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 21, 2024
A large contingent of the ESPN following doesn’t believe the First Take host to be worth the money. Check out the initial social media reaction to the news.
“Has anyone ever tuned into a game because they can’t wait to hear from Stephen A. Smith?”
“If ESPN is smart, they’ll let him walk.”
“Good lord. $7 million apart? His total pay shouldn’t be near $7 million.”
Smith has often been criticized in the past for his wild takes and argumentative approach. While it gets attention, his style’s not for everyone.
If he can’t come to an agreement with ESPN, those upset viewers might not have to listen much longer!