ESPN has made a $90 million, five-year contract offer to Stephen A. Smith, but Smith is looking for a deal similar to the one Pat McAfee’s production company received, which was $25 million a year to have his show televised on ESPN. He is also interested in structuring his contract the way McAfee did, as McAfee has a production deal with ESPN rather than a talent one. Smith joined ESPN in 2003 and is known for his energetic debates and rants on shows like “First Take.” He also hosts his own podcast outside the ESPN umbrella where he discusses a variety of topics, including politics.
On “The Rich Eisen Show,” Smith discussed his interest in talking about politics and current events, even though ESPN’s focus is primarily on sports. He expressed his support for ESPN’s decision to keep politics out of their programming, acknowledging that it was hurting the network. Smith stated that he enjoys discussing political issues and considers himself a renegade in that regard. Despite his interest in politics, Smith supported ESPN’s decision to focus on sports and not delve into other topics that may polarize viewers.
Smith revealed that his current contract with ESPN did not include permission to host his own podcast outside the network, and he had to seek approval to do so. He praised the current leadership at ESPN, including Jimmy Pitaro, for always keeping their word and being supportive of his endeavors outside of the network. Smith expressed his gratitude towards ESPN for allowing him the flexibility to have his own podcast and pursue topics that interest him, even if they are outside the scope of traditional sports coverage. He emphasized that the network has been incredible to work with during his time there.
As Stephen A. Smith’s contract with ESPN approaches its expiration next year, there is uncertainty about whether he will choose to stay with the network or explore other opportunities. Smith’s desire for a contract similar to Pat McAfee’s lucrative deal and his interest in discussing topics beyond sports may impact his decision on whether to renew his contract with ESPN. The network’s focus on sports and their previous decision to move away from political programming may also play a role in Smith’s decision-making process. Ultimately, only time will tell if Stephen A. Smith will continue his longtime partnership with ESPN or seek new opportunities in the media landscape.
