Stephen A. Smith eyes major career move alongside Jason Kelce as First Take star demands ‘$100m deal’ from ESPN
STEPHEN A. Smith is looking to earn more money than Monday Night Football announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman at ESPN. Now the First Take star is aiming to join the star duo on ESPN’s flagship NFL program as part of a new bumper contract at the sports network. GettyStephen A. Smith is known for his extensive NBA coverage at ESPN[/caption] GettyThe First Take star is now looking to join the Monday Night Football Countdown crew[/caption] GettyStephen A. wants to follow in the footsteps of his idol Howard Cosell[/caption] Ahead of ESPN’s first MNF of the season – a clash between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets – Stephen A. has made it clear that he wants to become a key part of the top-rated program going forwards. And Stephen A. is especially keen to follow in the footsteps of his sports media idol Howard Cosell. “I don’t want to insult the legacy of the great Howard Cosell, who’s somebody that I idolized. But that’s what I want to do,” Smith told Front Office Sports. “When I think about the NFL, I’m not talking about being in the booth with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. You don’t mess with that chemistry; you leave that alone. “But I’m unapologetic about what I want. I would love to be a part of Monday Night Football. “I would love to work with [Monday Night Countdown’s new cast including] Jason Kelce and Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Clark and my man Marcus Spears. “I mean, two of those guys are on First Take every week.” Stephen A. currently makes $12 million a year at ESPN from the five-year, $60 million deal he signed in late 2019. And he has reportedly been offered a new five-year contract worth $90 million – or $18 million a year – to remain at ESPN, with his contract expiring in 2025. But the ESPN star is seeking an eye-opening deal worth $25 million a year, per Puck News. Stephen A. is determined to become the biggest earner at ESPN, eclipsing Aikman and Buck. And he would have a number of lucrative career options should he fail to agree a new contract with the Disney-owned network, which could be worth over $100 million. Stephen A. is known for his extensive coverage of the NBA. But he discusses the NFL every day on First Take and he recently made waves with his interview with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for his eponymous podcast. “Of course, I believe that I can do it,” Smith said. “When you think about Howard Cosell and what he meant to the business, do I believe I have the potential to mean nearly as much? Stephen A. Smith's journey through media STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003. Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown. He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010. His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist. Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News. “Yes, I do. So that’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean that opinion is shared by others. We’ll find out …” Stephen A. has made it clear during his contract negotiations that he wants to become part of ESPN’s NFL coverage. “I don’t know what the future holds. I know that I love doing First Take. They know that,” he added. “I know that I’m willing to still do the NBA. They know that. I know that I want to do the NFL. They know that. “But they also know I have my own digital platform, with my podcast, that I own and operate 100%. And I have no intentions of changing that. “And that I give a lot of social commentary. That involves social, political, and beyond. That’s not going to change, either. “Wherever that takes us, that takes us. Hopefully, it will take us to a point where we can reach an accord—and reach an agreement.” GettyStephen A. is confident he can add to ESPN’s flagship NFL program[/caption] Youtube/Stephen A. SmithHe recently made waves with an interview with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones[/caption]
STEPHEN A. Smith is looking to earn more money than Monday Night Football announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman at ESPN.
Now the First Take star is aiming to join the star duo on ESPN’s flagship NFL program as part of a new bumper contract at the sports network.
Ahead of ESPN’s first MNF of the season – a clash between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets – Stephen A. has made it clear that he wants to become a key part of the top-rated program going forwards.
And Stephen A. is especially keen to follow in the footsteps of his sports media idol Howard Cosell.
“I don’t want to insult the legacy of the great Howard Cosell, who’s somebody that I idolized. But that’s what I want to do,” Smith told Front Office Sports.
“When I think about the NFL, I’m not talking about being in the booth with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. You don’t mess with that chemistry; you leave that alone.
“But I’m unapologetic about what I want. I would love to be a part of Monday Night Football.
“I would love to work with [Monday Night Countdown’s new cast including] Jason Kelce and Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Clark and my man Marcus Spears.
“I mean, two of those guys are on First Take every week.”
Stephen A. currently makes $12 million a year at ESPN from the five-year, $60 million deal he signed in late 2019.
And he has reportedly been offered a new five-year contract worth $90 million – or $18 million a year – to remain at ESPN, with his contract expiring in 2025.
But the ESPN star is seeking an eye-opening deal worth $25 million a year, per Puck News.
Stephen A. is determined to become the biggest earner at ESPN, eclipsing Aikman and Buck.
And he would have a number of lucrative career options should he fail to agree a new contract with the Disney-owned network, which could be worth over $100 million.
Stephen A. is known for his extensive coverage of the NBA.
But he discusses the NFL every day on First Take and he recently made waves with his interview with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for his eponymous podcast.
“Of course, I believe that I can do it,” Smith said.
“When you think about Howard Cosell and what he meant to the business, do I believe I have the potential to mean nearly as much?
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
“Yes, I do. So that’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean that opinion is shared by others. We’ll find out …”
Stephen A. has made it clear during his contract negotiations that he wants to become part of ESPN’s NFL coverage.
“I don’t know what the future holds. I know that I love doing First Take. They know that,” he added.
“I know that I’m willing to still do the NBA. They know that. I know that I want to do the NFL. They know that.
“But they also know I have my own digital platform, with my podcast, that I own and operate 100%. And I have no intentions of changing that.
“And that I give a lot of social commentary. That involves social, political, and beyond. That’s not going to change, either.
“Wherever that takes us, that takes us. Hopefully, it will take us to a point where we can reach an accord—and reach an agreement.”
