Kaylah Walton
If you thought the voice of Stephen A. Smith couldn’t get any louder, think again. The exuberant ESPN commentator has his eyes set on a major financial breakthrough. Negotiations are in full swing between Smith and ESPN, and it seems he’s on the brink of becoming the highest-paid star at the network. This deal is no joke-we’re talking about mammoth amounts of money here, the kind that could get you your private island.
Last month, The Puck’s John Ourand revealed that ESPN put an offer of $18 million per year on the table for Smith. While most would be floored by such a sum, Smith seemed unfazed.
“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,” Ourand reported via Puck News.
Revolutionizing Sports Media Salaries: Rejecting the $18 Million Offer
Seemingly, $18 million is a trivial figure for someone who can captivate a discussion and hold an audience’s attention like few others in the industry. According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, rumors suggest that Smith’s upcoming contract could fall within the range of $20 million to $25 million annually. Over five years, this equates to a potential earnings of up to $125 million for Stephen A.. Yes, you read that correctly–$125 million.
“The stars are aligning for Smith to possibly become ESPN’s first $100 million talent. Sources have relayed that his new compensation could eventually come in between $20 million and $25 million per year over five years, compared to five years, $90 million for Aikman, five years, $85 million for McAfee and five years, $75 million for Buck,” McCarthy revealed.
If this deal comes to fruition, Smith will be engulfed in a sea of riches surpassing even Scrooge McDuck’s. Whether you adore or abhor him, Smith’s dedication and viewership numbers speak for themselves. He’s the individual you love to hate or hate to love, yet you cannot overlook. He’s the driving force behind ESPN’s debate programs, keeping audiences engaged and wanting more.
In a dynamic sports media landscape, Stephen A. Smith is demonstrating that being bold, opinionated, and occasionally controversial can be an exceedingly lucrative blend. So, the next time you hear that distinctive, thundering voice, bear in mind: you might be tuning in to a potential $100 million sensation.
