What’s the price tag of keeping Stephen A. Smith at ESPN? That is the big question intriguing the media world as the veteran is in negotiations with his high-profile employer. While his current deal is set to expire next summer, the sportscaster has been rather tight-lipped about the details of his ongoing discussion with ESPN. But Zach Lowe’s recent firing has fuelled several narratives, making the public eager to know more about his future with the network. Well, he’s finally broken the silence to shed some light.

Stephen A. Smith addressed his ongoing negotiations, “I haven’t and I’m not gonna talk about my contract negotiations with ESPN. They are ongoing. I think the talks have been very pleasant. I think we’re making progress. We’ll see what happens.”

Obviously, he did not get into the numbers and specifics of the deal, but did hint that staying at ESPN might not be a certainty, “If it works out, it works out. If it doesn’t, I’ve got decisions to make coz I got a future to think about.”

As per his current deal, Stephen A. Smith reportedly bags an annual salary of $12 million. There were reports earlier this year of ESPN offering him a 5-year $90 million extension. However, this deal was never inked, as the media vet was said to be seeking a $25 mil per year salary.

However, Smith nullified these rumors when speaking to Lucas Shaw at Bloomberg Screentime in LA, saying, “The talks are going well. There is nothing bad going on despite the reports. I’m alarmed at how ignorant folks are.” He even scoffed at the figures, as they spread like wildfire, “Well, they’ve been wrong. How about that?”

Surprisingly, he remains unbothered by these allegedly false reports as they let him know the true nature of the people in his cutthroat industry, “I’ve been a journalist for nearly 30 years… I know who they are, I know how they think… They’re not fooling a damn soul. I just let them do it because I wanna see who is going to. Because I like to see who’s gonna have the audacity to smile in my face.”

Stephen A. Smith claims he has the ‘right to look out’ for himself but has ‘no animosity’ for ESPN

Well, Smith made it clear that his negotiations are still in progress and there is a chance he might leave ESPN if his expectations are not met. He even called out the hypocrisy of people who are not pleased with him demanding higher salaries while ESPN is on a layoff spree. Even Zach Lowe, who reportedly made a 7-figure salary, was laid off despite him being a frequent guest on First Take and major shows. But Smith had a message for all critics who might have been ‘rubbed the wrong way’, “I could see that, I don’t give a sh*t.”

Moreover, Stephen A. Smith remarked that it was just part of the evolution of the media industry, “At the end of the day, here’s what it comes down to. The industry has changed. The people who are not paying attention to the changes that have taken place are going to get lost in the shuffle. It’s not what it used to be.”

Whether you like him or not, you cannot deny that Stephen A. Smith has constantly evolved his journalistic skills with time to remain the face of ESPN for over a decade now. And now, he wants his dues, “Just like a business has a right to look out for its business, Stephen A. has a right to look out for Stephen A.’s business.”

But regardless of whether he stays or leaves ESPN, he claims to have “no animosity” with the network and its people. “Business is business,” he added. So, should a man be shamed for asking for what he deserves? What are your thoughts?

Before leaving, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant and more.