That’s Baller: Stephen A. Smith Becomes ESPN’s Highest-Paid Sportscaster With $8 Million Per Year

ESPN sportscaster Stephen A. Smith is making big deals in the boardroom. According to the New York Post, Smith negotiated and signed a 5-year contract with ESPN that secures an $8 million annual salary. Under Smith’s new deal, the multimillion-dollar salary is the highest known salary since Mark Greenberg’s $6.5 million as the host of “Get Up!”

Smith is highly visible on the network as host of the morning show, “First Take,” an NBA analyst on both “SportsCenter” and “NBA Countdown,” as well as host of “The Stephan A. Smith Show” on ESPN radio. However, it’s rumored that as part of the contract, Smith will leave the radio show next year. Apparently, ESPN wants to be more strategic with his overall placement, allowing more time for appearances on SportsCenter and their subscription platform, ESPN+.

Smith joined ESPN in 2005 as a weekday radio host, and despite public criticism for some of his controversial remarks, he’s continued to be an ever-present voice to the world of sports commentary.