Stephen A. Smith Reportedly Inks A $120 Million Contract With ESPN After Rejecting Initial $18m-a-year Offer

Stephen A. Smith, the popular ESPN host and podcaster, is reportedly nearing a monumental $120 million contract with the network. This comes after he turned down an initial offer of $18 million a year from ESPN. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, but it seems that a final agreement could be reached in just a matter of weeks.

According to sources, the new contract may include a “first-look” agreement for Smith’s other potential endeavors at ESPN. This suggests that the network is eager to work with Smith on future projects beyond his current role as a host and analyst.

Initially, there were rumors that Smith could join the cast of Inside the NBA, which will be moving to ESPN next season. However, ESPN’s President, Burke Magnus, dismissed those rumors in an interview. It’s clear that ESPN sees tremendous value in Smith and wants to keep him as a key part of their sports coverage.

Although ESPN may not have been the only suitor for Smith, as he has recently made appearances on Fox News and Bill Maher’s show, it seems that he ultimately decided to stay with the network.

‘I think what ESPN is up against is the possibility that WME could go out and create an architecture where Stephen A. has a podcast, a deal with this, a deal with that, whatever, and at the end of the day, it’s $20 million a year,’ James Andrew Miller told SI Media’s Jimmy Traina in June.

‘Smith currently has a podcast partnership with iHeartMedia, and recently produced a documentary for ESPN about the history of sports punditry.

‘I do believe there are enough possibilities … that Stephen A. can get outside of ESPN and even outside an exclusive deal with another network that could make him very happy and very rich,’ Miller added.

At 56 years old, Smith is a highly experienced and respected figure in sports media. His role on shows like First Take and ESPN’s in-studio NBA coverage has made him a household name among sports fans. With this new contract, Smith will undoubtedly solidify his standing as one of the highest-paid personalities in the industry. Fans can expect to see him continue to deliver his compelling analysis and commentary for years to come.

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