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 Postโs 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. Smithโs 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 donโt believe it. I just donโt, and Iโll never apologize for it. I didnโt bust my tail all these years to come along later and say โdamn it, itโs about fairness, we think we should get paid as much as you.โ What? You donโt generate the revenue I do. You donโt generate the ratings that I generate. You ainโt as popular as me. You donโt resonate as much as me. And you donโt deserve as much as I get.
Photo: Getty