Stephen A. Smith, one of ESPN's most prominent personalities, has secured a significant salary increase as part of a new contract with the network. Smith has signed a five-year deal worth $100 million, averaging $20 million annually. This raise makes him ESPN's highest-paid on-air talent to date, surpassing figures like Troy Aikman ($18 million per year), Pat McAfee ($17 million), and Joe Buck ($15 million).
Prior to this agreement, Smith was earning $12 million per year under a contract signed in 2019, which included an $8 million base salary and an additional $4 million from a production contract for his company, Mr. SAS Productions. That deal was set to expire in June 2025, prompting negotiations that had been ongoing for months. Smith had reportedly sought a salary as high as $25 million per year, reflecting his belief in his value to ESPN, driven by his role as the face of First Take—a morning show that consistently delivers strong ratings, averaging around 450,000 to 600,000 viewers in recent months—and his broader media presence.
The new contract not only boosts his pay but also adjusts his workload and opens doors for pursuits beyond sports commentary.
While Smith will remain a staple on First Take, he’ll scale back on other ESPN commitments, such as regular appearances on NBA pregame shows, though he might still contribute occasionally to major events like Monday Night Football. This flexibility allows him to expand his political commentary—something he’s increasingly embraced on platforms like Fox News with Sean Hannity and his own YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, which has over 500,000 subscribers. The deal is non-exclusive for non-sports content, giving him room to explore projects outside ESPN’s umbrella, potentially in entertainment or politics, where he’s even been floated as a hypothetical presidential candidate (though he’s downplayed any real intent to run).
.@stephenasmith describes his moment with LeBron James last night at Lakers-Knicks. pic.twitter.com/ZZyUnOOwYZ
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 7, 2025
The raise reflects Smith’s undeniable impact at ESPN. First Take has seen consistent growth, with 23 straight months of year-over-year increases and a record-breaking 2023 averaging 496,000 viewers. His recruitment of talents like Shannon Sharpe has further boosted the show’s draw. Beyond TV, Smith generates billions of digital views annually for ESPN, cementing his status as a revenue driver. Disney, ESPN’s parent company, and ESPN Bet are reportedly chipping in to fund parts of his salary, highlighting his value across their ecosystem.
This deal caps a remarkable comeback for Smith, who was let go by ESPN in 2009 after his show Quite Frankly flopped, only to return in 2011 and climb to the top of the sports media landscape. At 57, he’s now earning more than many professional athletes he covers—outpacing the NHL’s highest-paid player, Auston Matthews ($13.25 million), and all but 68 MLB players in average annual salary.
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