ESPN's SAS Shopping For A Podcast Deal

Stephen A. Smith has a radio show, a TV show and a column. Now the star sports commentator wants to start a podcast, reports Bloomberg.

Smith, one of the highest-paid personalities at ESPN, has met with companies such as Spotify Technology SA about creating a podcast or network of audio shows, according to several people familiar with the talks. The conversations were preliminary and no deal is yet being negotiated, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.

Smith is one of the most powerful figures at ESPN, where he is the costar of “First Take,” a morning sports talk show, and a regular on “SportsCenter” and coverage of the National Basketball Association. He also hosts a radio show for ESPN. Smith earns a reported $12 million a year from the network, which is owned by Walt Disney Co.

Smith signed a five-year deal with ESPN in 2019 and has no plans to leave the company, the people said. ESPN operates a large podcast network and could accommodate a show from Smith. But the parties have also discussed carving podcasts out of Smith’s contract so he could shop for a deal elsewhere.

Retaining control of podcast rights could allow Smith to follow in the footsteps of other high-profile sports-media figures who have built lucrative audio ventures. Smith’s former ESPN colleagues Colin Cowherd and Bill Simmons have parlayed podcasts into businesses worth millions of dollars. 

Podcasts are popular among younger sports fans in particular, many of whom no longer watch cable networks like ESPN, or watch less frequently than in the past.