ESPN is poised to make a new personality the highest-paid at the company, and the name may surprise you.
According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Stephen A. Smith is in line to become the company’s highest-paid personality, and could potentially earn as much as $10 million per year. That would give him the wealthiest contract in ESPN history.
Smith still has two years to go on his current deal, but ESPN reportedly values him highly due to his willingness to go on the air as often as he is asked, and he can also discuss multiple sports.
Negotiations are set to begin soon, and it is not guaranteed that Smith will stay at ESPN, and has possible leverage elsewhere, including at Fox Sports.
A lot of people will be surprised by this considering how often Smith makes easily-preventable gaffes on the air. Ultimately, though, the guy has a take on everything and never shies away from going on TV and saying it, and that’s what the network values.
