Media personality Stephen A. Smith will see his contract with ESPN expire next year. It’s led to widespread speculation that the boisterous host will depart for another network when said contract expires.
As Bounding Into Sports reported recently, ESPN did offer Smith a whopping five-year, $90 million contract. It was not enough. He wants $25 million per year on any new deal.
The host of ESPN’s “First Take” is among the most popular media personalities in the sports world. His hot takes and bombastic style have created fans and skeptics alike.
Whether Smith returns to ESPN long-term remains to be seen. But his latest antics have us wondering what’s happening behind the scenes.
Stephen A. Smith Takes Another Vacation Mere Days After Returning
Smith was absent from Thursday’s show. It comes just a few days after he returned from vacation. He had indicated that this would be the case on Monday.
“I decided, let me take a break, from my break, to come in and break people’s emotions and feelings,” Stephen A. Smith told viewers on Monday. “It’s only gonna be a few days, then I’m disappearing again.”
Interestingly enough, Smith’s “First Take” show was moved from ESPN to ESPN2 on Thursday and will again air on the secondary channel on Friday. That’s due to the four-letter network airing coverage of the Little League Softball tournament. You can’t make this stuff up.
All of this could very well be a coincidence. But until Smith re-signs with ESPN, rumors of continued issues behind the scenes will continue to pop up.
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