In relation to sports activities discuss, it pays to be loud. ESPN proved that once more on Thursday.
In line with a report from The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, ESPN and Stephen A. Smith, one in every of sports activities media’s greatest personalities, have agreed to a brand new five-year contract that can pay him “not less than” $100 million.
The mathematics on that’s easy: That’s not less than $20 million per 12 months.
In line with the report, Smith’s foremost focus might be along with his appearances on “First Take,” whereas scaling again a few of his different duties on the community to probably free him to do to extra discuss within the political enviornment.
That deal not solely retains Smith with ESPN, however it additionally means he might be making extra money than a major variety of the skilled athletes he might be yelling about every day.
Only for some context on these numbers.
The best-paid participant within the NHL this season, when it comes to common annual wage, is Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews at solely $13.25 million per season.
There are solely 68 gamers in Main League Baseball who’ve a median annual wage of greater than $20 million going into the 2025 season.
Among the many established stars who make lower than which might be Kyle Schwarber, Chris Sale, Anthony Santander, Julio Rodriguez, Kyle Tucker, Corbin Carroll, Zac Gallen, Bryan Reynolds and Brent Rooker.
There are a number of groups — together with the Oakland A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox — which have by no means paid any participant greater than $20 million per season.
Within the NBA there are 83 gamers averaging greater than $20 million per season. Among the many gamers not exceeding that common embody Cade Cunningham, Paolo Banchero, Klay Thompson and Lauri Markkanen.
Then we’ve got the NFL the place there are at present 92 gamers (earlier than the beginning of free company subsequent week) with a median yearly wage over $20 million.
Among the many gamers under that quantity are Marlon Humphrey, Fred Warner, Christian McCaffrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and Jonathan Taylor.
One other approach to have a look at this: Smith’s new deal pays him extra money per 12 months than 100% of the NHL, roughly 95% of the NFL, 90% of Main League Baseball and 80% of the NBA.
Mix that with the $85 million ESPN is reportedly paying Pat McAfee over 5 years and it’s fairly clear what path the community has determined to take. Noise.
