Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Curious about Stephen A. Smith’s Net Worth and Salary?

Delve into the financial world of American sports media icon Stephen A. Smith, whose net worth stands at an impressive $25 million. His annual salary is a staggering $13 million. Stephen A. Smith gained popularity through his appearances on various ESPN shows. He is also a talented writer and contributes to ESPN’s online platforms and The Philadelphia Inquirer. A successful stint in talk radio has also added to Smith’s acclaim. Furthermore, he has made cameo appearances in various movies, often portraying himself.

Insight into His Salary

Until April 2019, Stephen A. Smith earned an annual salary of $5 million. In mid-April 2019, he inked a new deal with ESPN worth $8 million per year, making him the highest-paid personality at ESPN and the top-earning sports broadcaster globally. However, in March 2020, Tony Romo’s $17 million contract with CBS took over the title of highest-paid sportscaster. Currently, Smith’s annual earnings from ESPN stand at $13 million.

Rejecting a $90 Million Offer

In June 2024, news broke that Stephen A. Smith turned down a lucrative $90 million contract proposal from ESPN. The offer, spread over five years, equated to an average yearly salary of $18 million. Reports suggest that Smith declined the deal in anticipation of an offer that would guarantee him $25 million annually.

Origin Story

Stephen A. Smith was born in the vibrant Bronx, New York, into a family where his father managed a hardware store. Before venturing into the hardware business, his father made a name for himself as a notable basketball and baseball player. Growing up amidst six siblings, with Stephen being the second youngest, he developed a keen interest in basketball. A basketball scholarship paved his way to Winston-Salem State University, following a short stint at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

During his college basketball tenure under the guidance of esteemed coach Clarence Gaines, Stephen A. Smith absorbed invaluable basketball insights and tactics. Despite Gaines’ prominence, Smith did not shy away from openly critiquing him. Smith engaged in writing for the university’s newspaper and, as he neared his college graduation, advocated for Gaines’ retirement due to failing health. Smith completed his university education in 1991.

First Steps in Journalism

Stephen A. Smith’s journey into journalism kicked off post-college at the Winston-Salem Journal, where he served as a sports department clerk. This role proved to be pivotal in paving the way for his future successes. Soon, he secured prominent roles at publications like the Greensborough News and Record and the New York Daily News. However, a significant breakthrough came with his tenure at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Impact at Philadelphia Inquirer

Initially focusing on the Philadelphia 76ers as an NBA writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Stephen A. Smith’s role expanded over time. Progressing through promotions, he eventually rose to the position of a general sports columnist. Despite amassing a substantial following through the publication, The Philadelphia Inquirer ended his tenure in 2008. Smith ventured into the blogosphere and eventually triumphed in a legal battle against his former employer two years later. The court ruling mandated The Philadelphia Inquirer to reinstate Smith while necessitating the removal of his political and personal opinions from his content.

Role at ESPN

Stephen A. Smith commenced his tenure with ESPN in 2003, initially as an analyst for the NBA Shootaround pregame show, later rebranded as NBA Countdown. In 2005, he began hosting his show, Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith, which was eventually canceled in 2007. Subsequently, he was entrusted with his daily show: The Stephen A. Smith Show. However, it is his appearances on ESPN’s First Take from 2012 onwards that resonated most with sports aficionados. Smith has featured in various other ESPN programs, including Dream Job, Pardon the Interruption, Jim Rome is Burning, and Sportscenter. In 2014, he signed a contract worth $3 million annually. From 2015 until April 2019, Smith earned $5 million yearly from ESPN. In April 2019, reports emerged of Smith securing a fresh deal with ESPN till 2021, promising a salary of $8-$10 million yearly. By 2023, Smith is said to amass $13 million annually from his association with ESPN. These figures firmly place Smith as one of the highest-paid TV personalities in ESPN’s history.

Dabbling in Acting

Stephen A. Smith has dabbled in acting, starting with a stint on General Hospital. A long-time fan of the show, he has made multiple cameo appearances. In 2007, he made an appearance in Chris Rock’s movie I Think I Love My Wife. Furthermore, Smith has starred in various beef jerky commercials for Oberto. In 2023, he made a cameo appearance in Creed III.

Radio Ventures

Throughout his career, Stephen A. Smith has actively engaged in Talk Radio. His radio voyage commenced in 2005 with WEPN radio in New York City, later extending to a broadcast on ESPN Radio. By 2009, Smith was contributing to Fox Sports Radio, culminating in hosting their morning show. In 2013, he transitioned to Chris Russo’s Mad Dog Sports Channel, housed on Sirius/XM. Returning to ESPN in 2017, Smith’s show now airs on Sirius/XM. Between 2015 and 2019, he garnered an annual $1 million from his Sirius/XM radio exhibit.

Stirring Controversies

Known for his candid, somber, and straightforward commentary, Stephen A. Smith’s “tell-it-like-it-is” approach has stirred various controversies. One of the most prominent instances involves his remarks concerning

Personal Life

Stephen A. Smith, who has never been married, is a father of two daughters who are one year apart in age. He keeps his personal life private and has not disclosed much information about his children. Smith has remained secretive about his dating life as well, with rumors suggesting that he was previously engaged.

Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Data from 2023 and 2024, along with forecast data for 2025 and 2026, are available. Additionally, we have extended the forecast to include 2027 and 2028.

 

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* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:

Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.

Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.

Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.

Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.

Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.

Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.

Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.

Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.

Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.

Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)