There is no doubt that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is the star of the network.
Besides being featured on a number of different shows and productions, the man is also getting paid like an absolute celebrity, as has recently been revealed by The New York Post.
Smith’s contract is for $12 million per year, according to sources. As The Post previously reported, Smith’s personal salary is $8 million a year — which is correct — but he also has a $4 million-per-year production contract.
That makes the total compensation of the contract that he signed in late 2019 a five-year, $60 million deal.
$60 million is a lot for anyone — but for a broadcaster and insider like Stephen A., it doesn’t seem all that surprising.
He is, perhaps, the biggest name in the industry, with decades of experience.
Unfortunately for ESPN, they have a bit of a problem with some of their personnel. After the rift between Maria Taylor and Rachel Nichols, the network has been put on blast by the community, and they find themselves facing some tough decisions.
It will be interesting to see how ESPN handles the situation, and who stays on with the network going forward.
