ESPN Urged to “Break the Bank” for Stephen A. Smith After $90 Million Rejection as NBA Analyst’s Terms Are Revealed

Stephen A. Smith is a valuable name in both the media industry and for ESPN but to what extent? The $24 Billion network offering a $90 million, 5-year deal to Smith is one extent of it. But it seems the 54-year-old analyst estimates his value higher as he has rejected this offer by ESPN. Meanwhile, former NBA stars Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson have extended their support to Smith getting his desired amount.

Appearing on his All The Smoke podcast, Barnes mentioned Smith reportedly wants $25 million every year. If ESPN meets this demand, Smith’s salary will be more than double to his present annual salary of $12 million. Further in the podcast, Barnes recollected sending a congratulatory text to Smith on hearing of his first contract offer. But when he came to know that he rejected the offer, the ex-NBA star knew there’s more to come. “… Because he’s a commodity. I think ESPN is gonna have to break the bank for him,” he said.

The 2017 champ next asked his co-host Stephen Jackson for his opinion. Notably, Jackson and Stephen A Smith have not been on good terms ever since Jackson called the ESPN analyst a snitch in the Russel Westbrook incident. However, the 2003 NBA champ still wants Smith to get his desired deal. “You ain’t never did a haters on somebody getting their money, and we never will… I see it another way, man. They throwing all that money to Tom Brady and all them. Let us get some of that money,” he said.

As per the reports, Fox has offered a signing amount to the tune of $375 million over 10 years to ex-NFL star Tom Brady. And in this scenario, Jackson wants Smith too to make a decent amount of money in the industry. “Go get that bag. Go get it,” he said. But the question is what exactly Smith’s demands from ESPN are?

Stephen A Smith wants a Pat McAfee like deal

As mentioned above, the network reportedly offered a $90 million, 5 year extension deal to Smith. This makes it clear ESPN wants to retain the 56-year-old analyst, as his contract expires in 2025. As per the reports, ESPN also got in contact with Smith’s talent agency, WME, to let them know he could become the highest-paid talent on their team. However, according to Puck News, the NBA analyst desires a $25 million every year deal rather than $18 million.

Meanwhile, during a recent appearance on ‘SI Media with Jimmy Traina’ podcast, James Andrew Miller also stated Smith is looking for bigger numbers. “I think what ESPN is up against is the possibility that WME could go out and create an architecture where Stephen A. has a podcast… A deal with this, a deal with that, whatever, and at the end of the day, it’s $20 million a year,” he added.

Notably, this would be a similar set-up as that of Pat McAfee. He reportedly got a five-year, $85 million deal to move his ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ to the network, while also being a featured panelist on ‘College Gameday’. Now, it’s to be seen if ESPN gives in to Smith’s demands or the two parties reach a negotiation.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.