ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is reportedly unhappy with an $18 million per year offer being made by the “Worldwide Leader in Sports”, according to a report of John Ourand of Puck.news. The news has stirred quite a reaction among fans and analysts, who are debating whether Smith deserves such a high salary.
The initial deal, presented last week, reportedly left Smith dissatisfied as he believes his worth to be much higher. Sources indicate that the two sides were approximately $7 million per year apart in their negotiations. Smith is reportedly seeking $25 million per year, which he believes better reflects his value to the network.
The report also from BroBible said that that source has been closely following the developments. He posted details of the ongoing negotiations between Smith and ESPN, highlighting the network’s efforts to re-sign their star personality.
ESPN Offers Stephen A. Smith $90M Deal Over 5 Years
ESPN is trying hard not to let Stephen A. Smith leave the network. The network has reportedly offered a whopping $90 million over five years to keep Smith, a veteran on the hit morning show “First Take,” to stay on board, per Puck News. Smith’s contract with ESPN is set to expire in 2025.
“It’s an insane amount of dough for a TV personality,” Ourand wrote. “But it still might not be enough.” . It’s clear that Smith’s camp is aiming for a deal that matches or comes close to the $30 million annually brought in by Pat McAfee, who took a pay cut to join ESPN but still maintains a significant platform with “The Pat McAfee Show.”
The reaction from ESPN’s audience has been mixed. Many fans are urging ESPN to reconsider their offer, arguing that Smith may not be worth such a high salary. Social media has been buzzing with comments like, “Has anyone ever tuned into a game because they can’t wait to hear from Stephen A. Smith?” and “If ESPN is smart, they’ll let him walk.” These reactions reflect a segment of the viewership that questions Smith’s overall impact and value to the network.