Stephen A. Smith Could Expand His Empire Beyond ESPN
Stephen A. Smith might be poised to expand his reach beyond the world of sports. Sources say the popular ESPN commentator is nearing a new contract with the network that could open doors to other areas of Disney entertainment.
After several months of negotiations, both sides are hopeful they can finalize a deal within the next few weeks. While details remain under wraps, it’s believed the new pact could involve a “first-look” agreement, giving Smith’s ideas and concepts priority consideration across Disney’s diverse portfolio of entertainment properties.
Neither ESPN nor Smith’s agency, WME, has commented publicly on the negotiations.
This potential deal underscores ESPN’s ongoing effort to secure top talent. Recently, the network snatched renowned announcers Troy Aikman and Joe Buck from Fox to lead their "Monday Night Football" coverage. They’ve also made hefty investments to sign outspoken voices like Pat McAfee and license his highly popular YouTube program, and even enlisted former Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce for a late-night series.
Smith, known for his unbridled commentary on ESPN’s popular daytime show "First Take," has publicly expressed his desire to become the highest-paid personality at the network, surpassing even veteran commentators like Scott Van Pelt and Mike Greenberg.
This ambition, coupled with pressures on Disney and other media companies to find new revenue streams amidst the shift towards streaming, has fueled speculation about whether the two sides will ultimately find common ground.
"Stephen A. Smith is the face of ESPN. How much is that worth?" the Wall Street Journal asked in June, when it reported that Smith had been offered an $18 million annual salary for a new multi-year deal – a 50% increase from his current $12 million annual earnings. Smith’s contract is expected to expire in 2025.
Beyond the world of sports, Smith has shown a growing interest in late-night programming and political commentary. He is slated to be a guest on a new long-form interview show led by Fox News opinion host Sean Hannity for the Fox Nation streaming service, and has previously appeared on the NewsNation cable-news outlet. Smith has also experimented with a late-night-styled show on ESPN+. His growing versatility suggests he’s seeking broader opportunities beyond sports analysis.
Precio de acciones de Disney
## Stephen A. Smith: Taking His Talents Beyond the Sports Desk?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is entertainment analyst, Sarah Jones, to discuss the latest buzz surrounding ESPN commentator, Stephen A. Smith. Sarah, there are rumors swirling that Smith could be stepping outside the world of sports. Can you fill us in?
**Sarah Jones:** Absolutely. According to Variety, Smith is close to securing a new deal with ESPN that could see him branching out into other areas of Disney entertainment [[1](https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/espn-stephen-a-smith-new-contract-1236233840/)].
**Host:** That’s remarkable. What exactly are we talking about?
**Sarah Jones:** Well, the details are still under wraps, but sources say this new contract might include a “first-look” agreement. This means Disney would give priority consideration to any new show ideas or concepts that Smith comes up with, potentially across their wide range of platforms, from movies to streaming services. Think about it – Stephen A.’s larger-than-life personality and passionate commentary style could translate really well into other genres. Could we see him hosting a game show? A reality series? It’s certainly a possibility!
**Host:** That’s fascinating! Have either ESPN or Stephen A.’s representatives confirmed anything?
**Sarah Jones:** Not officially. Both ESPN and Smith’s agency, WME, have remained tight-lipped about the negotiations. But given the positive buzz surrounding it, it seems like a deal is on the horizon.
**Host:** It’s certainly an exciting prospect. Stephen A. Smith moving beyond sports could be a game-changer for both him and the Disney empire. Sarah Jones, thank you so much for giving us the inside scoop.
**Sarah Jones:** My pleasure!
