ESPN is reportedly offering Stephen A. Smith a substantial $18 million annually to renew his contract, although Smith is seeking $25 million, as discussed by Dan Le Batard on the “Dan Le Batard Show.” Le Batard emphasized that this offer, while significant, reflects a major underestimation of Smith’s value.
“I happen to find interesting that in our time, the person who is at the top of our profession is now being offered, reportedly at ESPN, the highest salary in the history of the company for a talent.”
“It used to be for John Gruden at $6.5 million, but the explosion of everything that’s happened has made everyone realize, oh, all these talent are super undervalued, even though everyone listening to this would say it’s ridiculous for anybody to be making the kind of money doing this nonsense that people can make.”
“ESPN has offered Stephen A. Smith the highest contract in the history of the company, putting him ahead of Joe Buck, who is now the highest paid employee who doesn’t have to do as much as Stephen A. Smith.”
“Stephen A. Smith is reportedly countering with, that’s not enough. 18 million dollars is not enough. I want 25 million dollars that’s what’s being reported 25 million dollars a year and power by the way it’s not going to just be money.”
“He’s going to want power and a bunch of other things because he is the modern-day Howard Cosell whether you like it or not and beyond sports, he’s got conquering ambitions because he is casting a wide net going on FOX making sure the audience is as large as it can be as he heads into the leverage of negotiations because he can do this for more than $18 million a year on his own.”
"He can do this for more than $18 million on his own. He doesn’t need ESPN.” – Dan explains why ESPN is undervaluing Stephen A. Smith despite reportedly offering him $18 million per year.
📺 https://t.co/6ZV9WhZHI9 pic.twitter.com/HwH2uVUDEU
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) June 21, 2024
Le Batard pointed out that Smith, who has been with ESPN since 2003, is not just a sports analyst but a media personality with ambitions extending beyond sports. Smith’s brash and engaging style on “First Take” has attracted a massive following, making it one of ESPN’s flagship programs.
His ability to resonate with a younger audience through social media and YouTube has contributed significantly to the show’s growing popularity.
Moreover, Smith’s contract negotiations are reportedly influenced by Pat McAfee’s lucrative deal with ESPN. Initially believed to be worth $17 million annually, McAfee’s total package, including licensing his show and appearances on College GameDay, is closer to $30 million.
Smith’s agency, WME, is leveraging this comparison to justify his demand for $25 million, arguing that his value to ESPN is at least comparable to McAfee’s. ESPN, however, resists this comparison, viewing McAfee’s deals as production deals rather than talent deals.
Le Batard highlighted that Smith’s demand is not solely about money but also about power and influence within the network. Smith’s ability to potentially operate independently, leveraging his brand and following, gives him significant bargaining power. He has demonstrated that he can attract substantial audiences on his own, making his demands reasonable in the current media environment.
Smith’s impact is evident as “First Take” experienced its most-watched year in 2023, further cementing his position as a key figure in sports media. ESPN’s reported offer of $18 million, while a record for the company, might not suffice to retain Smith, who could easily command higher earnings independently or with another network.
Ultimately, Stephen A. Smith’s negotiations with ESPN reflect the broader trends in sports media, where top talents are increasingly recognizing and asserting their value in an evolving landscape. Whether ESPN meets Smith’s demands or not, his role in shaping sports commentary and media remains indisputable.
ESPN Would Be Making A Massive Mistake If They Let Stephen A. Smith Walk
Stephen A. Smith is arguably the most well-known sports analyst on the U.S. sports network. His takes might be controversial, irritating, or disagreeable to some, but his prominence in the field is undisputed. Smith has built an enormous following independently.
His YouTube channel, where he hosts his podcast, boasts over 700K subscribers. He has 5.9 million followers on Twitter and over 5 million followers on Instagram. Over the last decade, he has become the most recognizable face on TV and arguably the most powerful man in sports media today.
Smith’s ratings have dominated for over a decade, with no one coming close to challenging him and his show, ‘First Take.’ His influence is so significant that he managed to pull off a major coup by recruiting Shannon Sharpe to leave FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ after issues with Skip Bayless. The addition of Sharpe to ‘First Take’ has only strengthened the show’s appeal and ratings.
Letting Stephen A. Smith walk would be a colossal mistake for ESPN. Over recent years, Smith has expanded his reach beyond sports, delving into politics and other media realms through his podcast.
His wide-ranging presence and ability to attract diverse audiences make him an invaluable asset. ESPN should recognize that playing hardball with someone of Smith’s stature, who has the capacity to go independent and succeed or join a rival network, is a risky move.
Smith’s influence and following are substantial enough that he can easily command what he seeks, whether at ESPN or elsewhere. His departure would create a void that would be challenging, if not impossible, for ESPN to fill. The network’s leadership should understand that keeping a superstar like Smith is crucial for maintaining their competitive edge in sports media.
Ultimately, it is likely that ESPN will come closer to meeting Smith’s demands, recognizing his unparalleled value. While negotiations may take time, it is hard to imagine ESPN letting such a critical figure slip away. Superstars like Stephen A. Smith are rare, and allowing him to leave would be a strategic blunder of significant proportions.
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