ESPN host Stephen A. Smith mentioned talks a few contract renewal with the Disney-owned sports activities outlet have been “constructive,” however he firmly denied a report his renewal could also be value $120 million.
The favored commentator, a ubiquitous presence throughout ESPN who additionally harbors ambitions to discover new horizons like late-night speak throughout the Disney universe, made the feedback after calling in to Christopher “Mad Canine” Russo’s every day present on SiriusXM. Russo is a weekly visitor on ESPN’s Smith-hosted First Take.
“Talks have been constructive and useful however we haven’t reached an settlement but and till that comes, so far as I’m involved, I’ve received six months or so to go to do the very best job I presumably can do,” Smith mentioned. His contract is formally attributable to expire on June 30.
Teased by Russo in regards to the eye-popping worth of the contract, Smith dismissed a report earlier this month by The Athletic pegging it at $120 million, occurring to briefly elaborate on his dealmaking method.
“I can guarantee you it’s not for $120 million. That could be a lie. That’s not true,” he mentioned. “Anyone that tells you that cash doesn’t matter is mendacity so I might by no means insult you or your viewers’s intelligence by saying such a factor. The cash does matter however the cash is there. That’s not the problem. ESPN and I don’t have a difficulty with the cash. For me personally, there are quite a lot of different issues that I wish to do and I would like the liberty to do it. We reside in a unique world and having the ability to diversify your portfolio and do issues outdoors of that one job that you’ll have is extremely essential to me. So as a result of that’s of significance to me, that’s the form of factor that now we have to work out.”
Either side have been “receptive” to one another, Smith mentioned. “Hopefully we’ll attain an accord and I’ll be there for years to come back and if it doesn’t work out then it doesn’t work out.”
Along with internet hosting First Take and showing as an analyst throughout a number of dayparts and platforms, Smith has a weekly podcast outdoors of ESPN’s auspices that goes past sports activities matters. He additionally has had a recurring appearing function ABC’s long-running cleaning soap opera Basic Hospital, an indication of his curiosity in having a presence in lots of corners of the Disney empire.
The talks are enjoying out at a time when Disney and ESPN have been focusing their expertise spending on a a lot smaller roster of prime names. After layoffs in 2022 and 2023 noticed some acquainted faces depart the community, the corporate made vital investments in licensing Pat McAfee’s YouTube present and now have expressed optimism about re-upping Smith.
Disney and ESPN are dealing with a serious crossroads in 2025 as they get set to launch a stand-alone streaming model of ESPN.
