ESPN is understood for having plenty of big-time personalities, however maybe their largest is Stephen A. Smith.
He’s maybe finest recognized for internet hosting “First Take” and sometimes makes appearances throughout different community exhibits to be able to give his views on information and video games, notably these involving the NBA and NFL.
There have been whispers currently that maybe Smith would depart ESPN, however per Entrance Workplace Sports activities, he may find yourself touchdown a brand new contract with the outlet that may pay him a minimum of $100 million.
The celebs are aligning for Stephen A. Smith to presumably change into ESPN’s first $100M expertise.
A mess of things—together with Pat McAfee—may ultimately push Smith’s new deal to return in between $20M-$25M per 12 months over 5 years.@MMcCarthyREV explains in Monday’s column ⬇️
— Entrance Workplace Sports activities (@FOS) July 8, 2024
Smith has been with ESPN because the early 2000s, and previous to that, he was a print journalist for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Along with his gig on “First Take,” he additionally hosts his personal day by day two-hour radio present for ESPN.
Smith has developed a following for his loud and loquacious fashion, in addition to just a few catchphrases and his no-holds-barred fashion of takes on information and present occasions, to not point out his intense dislike of the Dallas Cowboys.
Over the previous couple of years, ESPN has made some cost-cutting strikes, which has included letting go of notable abilities resembling Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy, who teamed up for a few years to name NBA video games for the community.
Nevertheless, it additionally introduced on board Pat McAfee, who had hosted “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube for just a few years earlier than it migrated to ESPN, making McAfee a really wealthy man.
At age 56, Smith ought to have a few years of service left in his vocal cords.
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