Stephen A. Smith, a renowned figure in sports media, is poised to make a significant splash with his prospective ESPN contract.
The presentations, executive productions, and distinctive digital show have established him as a potent force in the industry, a feat just in time for an exciting contract renewal with ESPN.
This impending contract hasn’t gone unnoticed by Dan Le Batard, former ESPN host, who anticipates Smith’s deal will be groundbreaking enough to “shake the industry”.
Speaking during an episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Le Batard explained why he believes Smith is set to become the “face and voice of ESPN”.
“He is about to, I think, shake the industry with his next contract, and should because he’s a ratings monster,” Le Batard said.
Controversies have hovered around Smith’s pay in comparison to newer entrants such as Pat McAfee.
Other talents such as Joe Buck and Troy Aikman have even managed to outdo Smith’s paycheck, despite his public demands for being the highest compensated talent at the network.
According to Le Batard, Smith is currently “underpaid”, a situation he has managed to turn into advantageous leverage on his journey to this new contract.
“He welcomes in (Pat) McAfee and all these $17 million contracts … when he’s the voice and face of ESPN,” Le Batard argued. “And he’s now underpaid as soon as they arrive. He welcomes them all in, and now his ratings are giant.”
“Stephen A. Smith also has a production company, which is going to be giant I am sure,” Le Batard added. “It is going to be powerful and impressive whether he does it with ESPN or outside of ESPN. Because Stephen A. Smith wants to play with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the sphere of, ‘I’m as big a star in sports right now as there is. I’m a media star and I’m at my company and I’m underpaid.’”
"Stephen A. Smith wants to play with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in the sphere of, 'I'm as big a star in sports right now as there is.'" ⬇️https://t.co/Xd1KB5h6nc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 7, 2024
In recent interviews, Smith has expressed his ambition for an expanded footprint, beyond First Take and even ESPN.
While the specifics remain undisclosed, possibilities of programming on ABC and production deals with Disney are being speculated.
With Pat McAfee’s deal as the current benchmark and with Smith aiming high, it’s plausible that he might shatter the conventional salary framework in sports media soon.
Irrespective of the outcome, Smith’s upcoming contract with ESPN is expected to be a definitive moment in sports broadcasting.
