Stephen A. Smith will earn more than Travis Kelce and many other NFL stars after signing a whopping $100 million deal with ESPN

Stephen A. Smith to take on reduced roles at ESPN First Take and speak most abruptly about politics amidst his growing fandom.

Stephen A. Smith will earn more than Travis Kelce and many other NFL stars after signing a whopping $100 million deal with ESPN

Stephen A. Smith, Travis Kelce (Images via Getty Images and NFL)

ESPN has signed a new contract with Stephen A. Smith, securing his presence for five more years. The deal, reportedly worth $100 million, was first revealed by The Athletic. ESPN later confirmed the renewal but did not disclose financial terms.

Stephen A. Smith remains the face of First Take, the network’s popular morning debate show. However, he will reduce his appearances on other ESPN programs. He will no longer be a regular on NBA Countdown but may still appear occasionally on Monday Night Football pregame coverage.

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In the press release, Stephen A. Smith also admitted being grateful to the organization for making him a part of their family.

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I’m happy and honored to remain a member of the Disney/ESPN family for, at least, the next five years. There’s only bigger and bigger things ahead. It starts with continuing to put in that work. See y’all soon.

Stephen A. Smith said in the press release

Despite the corporate shake-up, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized Smith’s value to the network. Calling him a “difference maker,” Pitaro expressed gratitude for his continued presence. Smith, in turn, promised “bigger and bigger things ahead” for his career.

With more money and fewer responsibilities, Smith’s next move remains a hot topic. Whether he sticks to sports or steps further into politics, his influence continues to grow. Smith’s new deal comes at a turbulent time for ESPN and its parent company, Disney. In September, Disney laid off around three hundred employees according to a report from the Deadline.

However, the cuts primarily revolved around their corporate teams, and associated entities weren’t impacted. Recent budget cuts led to layoffs of 200 employees across ABC News. ESPN also parted ways with over 20 top on-air talents as part of cost reductions.

Stephen A. Smith, to utilize his newly available time for his political foray?

With his lighter workload, Smith gains more time to focus on his political interests. His podcast has become increasingly political, and he frequently discusses hot-button issues. He has also made appearances on Fox News, particularly on Sean Hannity’s show.

Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith [Image Credit: Sporting News]

Smith’s recent criticism of the Democratic Party has fueled speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. While he still opposes Trump, he has openly criticized Democratic leadership. He brutally ripped into the party, calling that a stray from being a “worker’s party” is what led to their loss. He also highlighted that Donald Trump won the election despite being a felon who’s convicted of more than thirty cases and he still won.

His political moves have sparked controversy, especially after his interview with Candace Owens. Owens has been accused of spreading antisemitic rhetoric and conspiracy theories. White supremacist Nick Fuentes even praised Smith for the interview, adding to the backlash.

Although Stephen A. Smith has vocally expressed that he won’t be foraying into politics as he has no interest in that, he has surely led a campaign that has caught enough and become an increasingly interesting proposition.

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