As Stephen A. Smith negotiates a new contract with ESPN, the popular television personality could be nearing a historic payday this summer.
Smith has one year remaining on a deal that pays him about $12 million a year. ESPN reportedly offered him a five-year deal worth $18 million per year, but Puck’s John Ourand reported that Smith is seeking more.
According to Front Office Sports, “the stars are aligning” for Smith to be the network’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,” according to FOS.
A source told FOS that ESPN management respects Smith for the way he’s handling contract negotiations and views him as a team player — a term that has occasionally contrasted with Pat McAfee within the network.
An anonymous “top TV insider” told FOS: “I’ve got to give Stephen A. credit. He’s used that McAfee is such a bad team player to his own advantage. He brings on only ESPN people; McAfee brings on Shams [Charania]. That’s the kind of thing Stephen A. Smith would never do. He lets Pat McAfee frustrate the ESPN executives so much, they’re like, ‘F*** it. Stephen A. is a good team player.’”
Perhaps Smith’s willingness to follow company policy will land him the historic contract he seeks.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.