Media veteran Stephen A. Smith is about to make history with his newly negotiated contract with ESPN. The 57-year-old has reportedly landed a $120 million deal with the broadcast giant. After the report went viral, NBA legend Kevin Garnett shared a crisp response, lauding the commentator.
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KG, who is also in the media business, understands the role Smith has played in the evolution of NBA commentary. The NBA legend shared a post from an Instagram page that detailed Stephen A.’s new contract.
The post read: “Stephen A. Smith, a prominent ESPN personality, has reportedly closed in on a six-year contract extension worth $120 million, averaging $20 million per year.”
“Congratulations bro,” KG wrote as caption for his repost.
Garnett has had a great relationship with the media veteran over the years. He has made several appearances on Smith’s show. And KG is happy that the contract, if it materialises, would put Stephen A. in a league of his own.
KG on IG pic.twitter.com/BsmGqV8N8W
— tragicpatek (@tragicpatek) December 6, 2024
It seems, there had been a bit of to-and-fro in the contract negotiations. ESPN had reportedly offered an $18 million-a-year contract to Smith. However, the 57-year-old turned it down and renegotiated.
Smith’s current contract is valid until June 2025, after which the reported $120 million contract would take force. This will make Stephen A. the highest-paid on-air personality on ESPN and the second-highest-paid media personality overall.
The only person making more money than him in the same business is NFL legend Tom Brady, who is on a $37.5 million per year pay-check in his color commentator deal with FOX.
NFL legend Peyton Manning is also believed to be making the same money as Brady. However, in his case, his own production house is involved in the ManningCast, which takes him out of the equation of the highest-paid on-air personalities.
However, there are many who are against ESPN setting this precedent in the sports media business. Most athletes don’t get $120 million contracts. So many think there’s no reason why a member of the media should make that much.
While appearing alongside Stephen A. on a recent episode of First Take, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo said, “$120 million? We need a salary cap.”
Fans on the internet are also not in favor of this contract. Many believe that ESPN offering such a big amount to one person will result in several other employees being laid off by the company.
However, Stephen A. has been the face of the broadcast media giant for decades. And his popularity has also played a role in generating revenue for the media company. So, the hike in pay is largely justified.
