In what seems to be a golden era for sports journalism, the industry continues to deliver game-changing news. After TNT revealed its new NBA broadcasting home, ESPN, a cornerstone of sports media, appears to have made a monumental move. For days, there were reports of ESPN veteran Stephen A. Smith striking a major multimillion-dollar deal with the media giant. While the network didn’t officially confirm it, Kevin Garnett’s recent social media message has made the matter even more intriguing.

The Big Ticket has recently posted an Instagram Story that read, “Congratulations bro @stephenasmith.” In light of the latest developments, it is not wild to assume that Garnett is sending his wishes to the ESPN veteran on earning his new achievement: a much-talked-about $120 million deal for six years fetching him $20 million per year. So is it really done?

Well, to tell the truth, no one is opening up. In fact, Smith himself is in shutdown mode! The Athletic had asked him over text if a deal was close, to which Smith simply responded, “False.” After a brief back-and-forth about the particulars, Smith added, “Here’s my quote, ‘I was born AT NIGHT, not last night. I don’t talk about my contract negotiations. Never have. Never will.”

Smith currently makes $12 million a year at ESPN, which is divided into $8 million in salary and $4 million for his production company. He also currently has multimillion separate sports gambling deals. Since 2011, SAS has been a regular on the five-day-a-week program “First Take.” With an average of 482,000 viewers on each episode, he has worked tirelessly to deliver the show its 21st consecutive month of year-over-year growth in April of this year. Smith, who is now seen as the face of ESPN, is aware of his value. So is ESPN.

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro told Front Office Sports during the network’s media day in Bristol, Conn., this fall: “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.” So ESPN might not mind going forward with the 100-million-plus deal. And if it is landed, Smith will set a new benchmark in the network’s pay packages.

The $20 million-a-year deal, if materializes, would be the most ever paid to an ESPN on-air personality without it being tied to a licensing deal. The Monday Night Football announcing duo of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck currently boasts 5-year deals worth $90 million ($18 million annually) and $75 million ($15 million), respectively. Meanwhile, Pat McAfee is collecting $85 million over five years ($17 million annually) to license his eponymous weekday show to ESPN. (He receives another cut via a separate talent-only contract with College GameDay.)

Puck had reported that ESPN’s initial offer to Smith was for $18 million per year. The two sides have also reportedly discussed 5 and 6-year options for the length of the contract. The deal may end up getting finalized at five years and $100 million. The contract will mostly be paid by ESPN but will also have components from Disney Entertainment and a gambling company, presumably ESPN BET, the network’s sports gambling arm. According to sources, Stephen A. would “continue with First Take and would provide content for ESPN Bet,” Sports Business Journal reported. Amid the talks, Smith, being Smith, has been vocal about his worth.

The 57-year-old even criticized Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott, who recently got a contract extension which led him to earn $60 million per year without doing anything as per Smith. “Dak Prescott just signed a contract for $240 million. He’s making $60 million a year. Has won two playoff games in eight years. I’ve been number one for 12 years. I’m sorry; in our respective industries I win, and I’m fully aware of what I’m worth, and I will never apologize to that for anybody,” said Smith during his interview with Chris Wallace.

If we look at the ESPN veteran’s venture into journalism, he had a very humble start. In 1994, he started as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he used to report for the Philadelphia 76ers. He first joined ESPN in 2003, filling several roles on television and radio with the network until 2009 when the two sides briefly parted ways. After returning to ESPN in 2011, Smith rose in prominence through ‘First Take.’ According to many, the deal is not a matter of if, but when, because Smith does not have any shortage of options.

NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video are both hiring for their coverage of the NBA starting with the 2025–2026 season. The Front Office Sports reported quoting a source, that both would “back up the Brink’s truck” to make Smith the face and voice of their hoops coverage. Plus, there are “persistent rumors that SiriusXM has put forth a considerable bid for him to host a radio show that would cover similar topics to his current YouTube show,” according to Puck.

“They have their vision—and I have mine. If it’s aligned, we’ll work it out. If it’s not, then decisions have to be made. I’m a big boy and I accept the fact that sometimes you don’t get what you want,” Smith had said on “Tuned In” in September. Understandably, ESPN has to seal it fast. Interestingly, there’s another big move associated with Smith that can happen soon.

Possibility of Stephen A. Smith’s union with Inside the NBA cast

Inside the NBA and NBA Countdown are two of the most iconic shows in the basketball world, with both holding a firm grip on NBA enthusiasts. Inside the NBA, led by the charismatic Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson, has a legacy of humor, insight, and authenticity. Meanwhile, ESPN’s NBA Countdown has showcased the sharp wit and unfiltered opinions of Stephen A. Smith. The idea of merging these powerhouses is tantalizing and could reshape NBA media.

As per FrontOffice Sports, recent developments at ESPN suggest a possible union of Stephen A. Smith with the Inside crew without making changes to the original cast.

“Why would we take something so successful and so iconic, bring it over and then be like, ‘We know better, we’re gonna change it’? We don’t want to change it. We don’t want to interject new talent into it. We don’t want to really do anything to it,” said Burke Magnus, the president of content for ESPN (via Sports Illustrated).

The way that they want to have the union is through an alt-cast ESPN’s ManningCast—featuring Peyton and Eli Manning’s charismatic commentary during Monday Night Football which would work as ratings boosters for the media giant. If the rumored moves materialize, this partnership may set a new benchmark for NBA coverage, delivering a unique blend of entertainment and expertise that the basketball world has yet to witness.