Stephen A. Smith In search of Insane Quantity of Cash to Keep With ESPN Amid Expiring Contract

(Photo : Tim Heitman/Getty Images) DALLAS, TEXAS – ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith experiences earlier than Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

ESPN has introduced out their finest supply to arguably their greatest star, sports activities media character Stephen A. Smith, nevertheless it is probably not sufficient.

The 56-year-old has been hinting for the previous yr that he goals to be the community’s highest-paid on-air expertise, given that he’s usually thought of the face of the community.

ESPN has reportedly given in to his calls for and supplied him a brand new contract value $18 million yearly, the identical as their highest-paid on-air expertise, Troy Aikman, who’s the colour commentator for the community’s NFL Monday Night Football broadcast.

However, journalist John Ourand of Puck has reported that Smith is now looking for a minimum of $25 million per yr, which is considerably larger than ESPN’s preliminary supply.

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Smith’s cope with ESPN is set to run out in July 2025, giving the 2 events a yr to finalize negotiations for a brand new contract if doable.

Stephen A Smith’s present ESPN deal was groundbreaking

Smith signed a record-breaking five-year contract value $60 million with ESPN in 2019, which beforehand made him the highest-paid sports activities media character on this planet at the moment.

The contract included a private wage of $8 million per yr, together with a $4 million-per-year manufacturing contract, leading to a complete annual earnings of $12 million.

However, subsequent offers for different sports activities media personalities have dwarfed the New York native’s once-megadeal. Fellow ESPN abilities Joe Buck and Pat McAfee now every earn $15 million yearly.