Stephen A. Smith isn’t threatened by Pat McAfee’s reported potential payday with ESPN. He’s framing it as a market-setting moment for black talent in sports media.
What We Know: ESPN and McAfee’s team are reportedly discussing an extension worth $60-65 million annually. According to The Athletic, McAfee currently earns roughly $30 million per year under his existing deal, which runs through 2028. Smith, meanwhile, signed a five-year, $100 million ESPN contract in 2025. When asked at the Barrett Media Audio Summit on Tuesday about McAfee’s reported extension price, Smith applauded McAfee for the number he reportedly could earn from ESPN.
What They Said: Stephen A. Smith (via Barrett Media Audio Summit): “First of all, I’m happy for him. He’s earned it, and I truly mean that. I do believe, even though it makes people uncomfortable, as a black man that I don’t believe that’s an opportunity that would ever come to us first. In our society, we can say that’s fortunate or unfortunate. But the reality is that there usually has to be a precedent set before somebody is in a position to capitalize off of that. I’m certainly positioned to capitalize off of that. Make no mistake. I will be. But I definitely think along those lines, business is business. He’s earned it with a multitude of things that he has done. I’ve been incredibly successful in linear. He’s incredibly successful in streaming. The future is there, and I think that’s incredibly important.”
What Remains Unclear: McAfee’s extension is not official with ESPN. It’s also unclear if McAfee could be in discussions with any other networks or streaming platforms. ESPN has not commented on the matter.
What It Means: Smith’s comments frame McAfee’s reported extension discussions as bigger than a salary story. He’s positioning it as a precedent that could reshape opportunity for talent who look like him. If ESPN pays McAfee $60-65 million, the network sets a new financial and cultural benchmark. That benchmark could shape Smith’s next negotiation and the industry’s broader pay structure. Instead of animus, Smith is showing grace and celebrating the moment for not just McAfee, but also ESPN.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
