Stephen A. Smith Could Become ESPN’s Highest-Paid Star with Possible $120 Million Contract

Stephen A. Smith could be getting a big bag from ESPN in the coming months.

According to reports, the outspoken analyst is in the process of locking in a lucrative, multi-year deal with ESPN. Smith has been in negotiations for months to secure a new contract that would grant him greater leverage at the company, especially for any concepts he introduces.

However, The Athletic clarified that while negotiations are underway, the deal is far from finalized. In fact, Smith himself weighed in to set the record straight. “Here’s my quote, ‘I was born AT NIGHT, not last night. I don’t talk about my contract negotiations. Never have. Never will,'” Smith texted the outlet, refusing to divulge further details.

Early rumors suggested a potential six-year, $120 million deal, equating to $20 million annually. That would position Smith as the highest-paid ESPN on-air personality without a licensing agreement. Initially, ESPN reportedly offered $18 million a year, but Smith, known for his sharp negotiations, wasn’t backing down.

Another possible outcome could be a five-year, $100 million deal. For context, Smith is currently earning $12 million annually at ESPN, in addition to multimillion-dollar endorsement deals, including partnerships with sports gambling companies.

Smith’s contract was originally slated to end in 2025, though judging by these numbers, the network is not ready to part ways with him just yet.