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At Almost $8 Million a Year, Stephen A. Smith Becomes ESPN’s Highest Paid On-Air Personality

At Almost $8 Million a Year, Stephen A. Smith Becomes ESPN’s Highest Paid On-Air Personality

Stephen A. Smith just inked a new deal with ESPN, making him the highest paid sportscaster on the network, USA Today reports.

Smith has been a journalist on the network since 2005. Now, he signed a 5 year deal that will rake in almost $8 million a year, topping Mike Greenberg, host of ESPN’s “Get Up,” who was the network’s former highest paid personality.

Smith will continue to be the face of his morning show First Take. He will also continue with SportsCenter and doing NBA coverage. 

According to the NY Post, Smith is still working out the smaller details of his contract but the network is also trying to add Smith to ESPN+, their new subscription service.

While the world of sports journalism remains predominantly white, Stephen A. Smith, has made a name for himself as a commentator and he has the record breaking paycheck to prove it. 

Congratulations!! 

Photo Courtesy of Evan Agostini/Invision/Associated Press