Stephen A. Smith Rejected $90M from ESPN – It Paid Off.
Stephen A. Smith has found himself in a bit of a pickle with LeBron James over the past week. The veteran reporter and ESPN figure took a jab at Bronny James' performance and suggested that LeBron, as a dad, should stop pushing for him to join the Lakers. LeBron wasn't too thrilled about that and confronted Smith during a Lakers game. Since then, Smith has been addressing the situation on his platforms and guest spots, sounding a bit like a politician trying to navigate a tough issue.
Now, it looks like he's leaning even more into that political vibe, but he’s not completely stepping away from ESPN. Smith just signed a new contract with the network to keep leading "First Take." This deal, which is worth at least $100 million over five years, means he’ll be stepping back from his regular role on ESPN's NBA pregame show "Countdown." He’ll also be on other shows less often, giving him more space to dive into political discussions.
Earlier this year, Smith mentioned he was toying with the idea of running for president. He ultimately decided it would disrupt his life too much, so he’s happy to share his thoughts from the sidelines instead.
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However, as we’ve seen in 2025, things can shift quickly. By 2028, who knows? Smith might be out there campaigning for a government position. He definitely has the confidence and connections to engage with a wide range of people.
Before this new deal, Smith was making $12 million a year at ESPN and famously turned down a $90 million offer back in June 2024. This new $100 million extension breaks down to $20 million a year, although he was reportedly aiming for $25-30 million. On the flip side, this deal seems to come with fewer work obligations.
Next NBA season, Smith and the other ESPN personalities will be joined by some fresh faces. The "Inside the NBA" crew, including Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal, will be part of the ABC and ESPN broadcasts.
Will the wild shenanigans they pull off on TNT work on a national broadcast network that's part of Disney? We'll find out, but we bet we'll catch a few Stephen A. and Chuck showdowns on the air.
