ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reportedly turned down a $90 million extension with the network.
Smith has become the face of ESPN thanks to his lively and unapologetic work on First Take and must request an extension as his contract expires on July 25, 2025.
However, reports suggest that the network and the decorated journalist-turned-TV personality disagree by a significant margin.
ESPN reportedly offered Smith a five-year extension at $18 million per year last week. John Ourand of Puck wrote that ‘ESPN executives told Smith’s WME agents that he would be their highest-paid star, earning more than Troy Aikman or Monday Night Football’s Joe Buck.’
However, Smith is reportedly seeking an annual salary of $25 million, citing that on-air talent wants to match Pat McAfee’s salary.
Stephen A. Smith Reportedly Rejected Five-Year Extension Worth $90 Million With ESPN
Reports indicate that Smith’s agents told ESPN that they want him to earn the same as Pat McAfee.
WME reportedly noted McAfee’s deal, which nets about $30 million between his studio show and his appearances on College GameDay. WME also used ESPN’s $700 million deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions as compensation.
In response, ESPN noted that neither McAfee nor Manning have talent contracts, but rather production agreements. The world leader purchases the McAfee program, covering production costs and staff salaries. The same goes for Manning, who produces the Manning Cast and other ESPN shows through Omaha.
Through negotiations, Front Office Sports reported that Smith could be worth up to $20 million a year, as the network has been hit hard by Disney’s brutal layoffs.
Unlike McAfee’s production deal, the First Take host has a talent deal with the network.
Smith also established himself as a staple on ESPN’s coverage of the NBA playoffs and finals.
Smith’s agents used ESPN’s $700 million deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions as compensation.
The network had to cut many on-air positions in 2023 as parent company Disney ordered thousands of layoffs across the conglomerate.
Aikman, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, currently ranks first on ESPN’s salary rankings at about $18 million a year.
Spokespeople for ESPN did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
Smith has a podcast partnership with iHeartMedia and recently produced a documentary for ESPN about the history of sports pundits.