As Stephen A. Smith gears up for contract negotiations with ESPN, his potential deal is already a hot topic in the sports media landscape. Speaking recently on Bloomberg’s The Deal podcast, Smith shared his perspective on no longer being ESPN’s top-paid talent and why he believes he’s poised to reclaim that title in his next contract.
In light of personalities like Pat McAfee, Kirk Herbstreit, and the Monday Night Football duo Joe Buck and Troy Aikman surpassing him in recent years, Smith sees his ratings dominance on First Take and consistent presence on ESPN’s NBA programming as key factors that position him to once again secure the highest salary at the network.
Stephen A. Smith still wants to be ESPN’s top paid talent: ‘It’s my turn’ https://t.co/87odl6XJia
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 11, 2024
While acknowledging the success of his peers, Smith emphasizes that his focus is not on competing with them, but rather on highlighting his value to ESPN and Disney. He’s clear about what he brings to the table and is prepared to negotiate accordingly.
Smith’s influence extends beyond traditional TV, as he’s taken on roles such as executive producer of First Take and has ventured into self-funded projects like The Stephen A. Smith Show. With his contract set to expire this year, Smith is aware of the demand for his talents and is ready to leverage his position in the industry.
