Stephen A. Smith, featured commentator and executive producer of First Take on ESPN, is currently in contract negotiations with the company ahead of the expiration of his existing deal on June 30, 2025. There had been reports pertaining to his deal being worth $120 million; however, Smith denied that monetary figure during a recent appearance on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio. While speaking with ESPN and First Take colleague Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on Mad Dog Unleashed, Smith explained that the discussions have been “constructive and beneficial” but there has not currently been an agreement reached.
Smith has stated on multiple occasions that he does not discuss his contract matters in public, but he provided some context during the recent radio appearance. In addition to First Take, Smith also works as an analyst for NBA Countdown and has his own company, Straight Shooter Productions, that produces his eponymous podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, and other projects. Russo exclaimed that if Smith left, he would leave as well, and subsequently implored him to sign the contract.
“The money does matter, but the money is there,” Smith said. “That’s not the issue. ESPN and I don’t have an issue with the money. For me personally, there are a lot of other things that I want to do, and I want the freedom to do it. We live in a different world, and being able to diversify your portfolio and do things outside of that one job that you may have is incredibly important to me, and so because that is of importance to me, that’s the kind of thing that we have to work out.”
In the report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic of Smith’s deal being for $120 million, it states that most of the deal would be paid by ESPN but would have smaller components from Disney Entertainment and a gambling company. The deal could include first-look provisions for any projects that could be developed. Smith has also expressed a desire to contribute to Monday Night Football and potentially host late-night programming, previously filling in as host of an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and previously hosting a late-night style show on ESPN+, titled Stephen A’s World.
“They’ve been receptive to what I’ve had to say,” Smith explained. “I’m receptive to what they have to say. Hopefully we’ll reach an accord and I’ll be there for years to come, and if it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out.”
Smith started his second stint with ESPN in 2011 where he hosted a local show on ESPN Radio in New York, and he also had a local program in Los Angeles for one year as well. In 2012, he joined First Take where he debated sports topics opposite Skip Bayless for four years as the show boosted in the ratings and became more popular. Smith worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer for 16 years where he was a general sports columnist, and he is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University. Smith also formerly hosted a radio show on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio for several years before it moved to the ESPN SiriusXM channel and was later simulcast on television.
