Sports journalist Stephen A. Smith is on track to become the highest paid on air talent at ESPN. According to a report by The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand, the legendary First Take star could see his salary double from $5 million a year to $10 million annually. Smith still has two years remaining on his contract. Smith’s current deal with ESPN is set to expire in 2021.
Smith said the following when discussing his new contract during a Thursday appearance at Seton Hall,according to The New York Post:
Those who are great get more than those who are not. Everybody at ESPN or in the world of sports media does not deserve to be paid what I get paid. I don’t believe it. I just don’t, and I’ll never apologize for it. I didn’t bust my tail all these years to come along later and say ‘damn it, it’s about fairness, we think we should get paid as much as you.’ What? You don’t generate the revenue I do. You don’t generate the ratings that I generate. You ain’t as popular as me. You don’t resonate as much as me. And you don’t deserve as much as I get.
Photo: Getty