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Stephen A. Smith Reportedly Wants $25 Million a Year
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ESPN reportedly offered Stephen A. Smith Bryce Huff money, but he wants DeVonta Smith money:
NEW: ESPN has put an $18 million-per-year offer in front of Stephen A. Smith to re-sign when his contract ends in a year. Will it be enough to keep him?@Ourand_Puck reports. https://t.co/VdWcNdb4cM
— Puck (@PuckNews) June 21, 2024
The story is behind a paywall, but Sportico says: “According to @Ourand_Puck, Stephen A. Smith has been offered a $18 million-per-year contract with ESPN for the next 5 years. Smith wants $25 million a year.”
There are good NBA players who don’t get $18 million AAV over five years. And five years at $25 million makes Stephen A. Jaden McDaniels. They would be on the same AAV and contract length, only one starts for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the other yells into a TV camera.
What’s crazy is that this might not be a ridiculous ask. Stephen A. is the biggest talent in sports media in 2024. Whatever they pay him, they’re getting their money’s worth. What’s the alternative anyway, losing him to Fox? Imagine if Stephen A. jumps ship to reunite with Skip Bayless? ESPN would never live that down. They have to pay the man. There’s no other option. Who are you gonna replace him with? Greeny? Dan Orlovsky? Big Perk? Monica McNutt? Mad Dog Russo? Stephen A. is ESPN in 2024.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com