Over the years, ESPN has emerged as the hub for all things NBA. It’s indisputable that many rely on the media moguls for basketball updates. However, with the recent viewership drop, things turned a tad bit concerning not just for the organization but for the league as well. But, keeping aside the audience connection woes for a while, we should truly thank Stephen A. Smith for keeping us hooked on the sport with his ruthless opinions.

ESPN has apparently extended SAS’s contract for around $120 million. One interesting fact that you should know: the veteran analyst’s earnings are equivalent to the Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving. But, that’s beside the point. Stephen A. Smith is about to be the first $100 million talent of ESPN. However, some insider sources suggest that the contract hasn’t yet been signed. There are “still issues to be resolved.” 

During ESPN’s media day in Bristol, this fall, chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized Stephen A. Smith’s value to the network, stating, “Stephen’s very important to us. We have plenty of time here, so there’s no urgency. But my strong desire is to get a deal done with him.” SAS comes with priceless experience of more than 3 decades. Yes, he could be a bit brutal, or rather blunt at times with his analysis. But, one thing that remains undeniable is the fact that Stephen’s remarks add spice to the NBA scenes.

Meanwhile, something massive is going on with SAS’s parent organization ESPN.

Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN is joining hands with streaming giants

The scenes are about to change soon. Why? Because ESPN is joining hands with Disney+ to catch families and casual sports fans. On Wednesday, the $210.88 billion entertainment giants made the media giant’s content available to their consumers. Simply put, Disney+ with let users enjoy sports action even if they don’t directly use ESPN’s broadcast hub.

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN’s chairman opined: “One of our priorities is audience expansion. And we love the idea of potentially speaking directly to casual fans and speaking to the very large female audience that is on Disney+.” He further added: “We see an opportunity to help the Disney+ platform in terms of creating some more stickiness and differentiation, and also helping ESPN in terms of expanding our audience.”

Disney’s research reveals minimal overlap between his org’s offerings to linear channel viewers and Disney+ subscribers. This simply means we can catch Stephen A. Smith’s action on the streaming platform and not rely on ESPN’s broadcasting. Well, that’s good news for the NBA die-hards who early wait for First Take.

Besides, Smith has become a sharp businessman with plenty of options. Timing is on his side. NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video, gearing up for NBA coverage in 2025-2026, are ready to “back up the Brink’s truck” for him. His YouTube show nears a million subscribers, and he’s exploring late-night TV, news, and acting. Stephen A. Smith holds all the leverage. But now with a contract extension around the corner, what will the veteran do?

Stephen A. Smith is ESPN’s crown jewel, holding the power to spice up NBA coverage like no one else. With a hefty contract rumored and streaming giants like Disney+ expanding his reach, his influence is undeniable. Yet, with rivals ready to roll out the red carpet, his next move keeps everyone guessing. The ball, as always, is in Stephen’s court!