Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Title: Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 9, 2025


What is Stephen A. Smith’s Net Worth and Salary?

Stephen A. Smith, a notable figure in American sports media, has amassed a net worth of $25 million. His annual salary stands at $13 million. He is widely recognized for his roles on various ESPN shows, in addition to being a writer who contributes to ESPN’s websites and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Furthermore, he has found significant success in talk radio. Smith has also dabbled in acting, often appearing in cameo roles as himself across different films.

Salary

Up until April 2019, Stephen A. Smith earned a salary of $5 million annually for several years. In mid-April 2019, he negotiated a new contract with ESPN, which increased his earnings to $8 million per year, making him the highest-paid personality at ESPN and the top sports caster worldwide at that time. However, in March 2020, he lost that title when Tony Romo signed a contract with CBS that saw him earn $17 million a year. Currently, Smith’s income from ESPN is $13 million each year.

Turning Down $90 Million

In June 2024, news emerged that Stephen A. Smith had declined a contract offer from ESPN worth $90 million over five years, which equated to an average salary of $18 million annually. Reports suggest that he refused this deal, as he was seeking a contract that would provide him with $25 million per year.

Stephen A. Smith

Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images

Early Life

Hailing from the Bronx in New York, Stephen A. Smith was born to a father who ran a hardware store, previously known for his talents in basketball and baseball. Born in 1967, he grew up with six siblings, being the second-youngest. His passion for basketball emerged early on, leading to a scholarship that enabled him to attend Winston-Salem State University. Before this, he spent a year studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

During his college basketball tenure, he played under the esteemed coach Clarence Gaines, gaining invaluable insights and strategies related to the game. Smith was never hesitant to voice his criticisms, including suggesting that Gaines retire due to health concerns as his college years came to an end. He graduated from university in 1991.

Early Journalism Career

Stephen A. Smith’s initial significant journalism role post-college was at the Winston-Salem Journal, where he served as a clerk in the sports department. This opportunity opened doors to subsequent career advancements, including positions at notable publications like Greensborough News and Record and New York Daily News. However, his pivotal break came when he was recruited by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Initially, Stephen A. Smith’s reporting concentrated entirely on the Philadelphia 76ers, asInitially starting as an NBA writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Stephen A. Smith’s role within the publication grew in significance over time. He was promoted twice throughout his tenure, ultimately becoming a general sports columnist. However, despite garnering a significant following while working with the publication, The Philadelphia Inquirer made the decision to terminate his employment in 2008. Following this, Smith launched his own blog and, two years later, he won a court case against his former employer. The ruling mandated that The Philadelphia Inquirer must rehire Smith, while also requiring him to omit any political and personal opinions from his work.

Stephen A. Smith 1Stephen A. Smith 1

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ESPN

Beginning his journey with ESPN in 2003, Stephen A. Smith started as an analyst on the NBA Shootaround pregame show, which later evolved into NBA Countdown. By 2005, he was hosting his own program, Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith, which was eventually canceled in 2007. He also launched a daily show, The Stephen A. Smith Show. However, his most recognizable presence to sports enthusiasts likely comes from First Take, a show he joined in 2012. Smith has also made appearances on various other ESPN shows, including Dream Job, Pardon the Interruption, Jim Rome is Burning, and Sportscenter. In 2014, he secured a contract worth $3 million annually. His salary then increased to $5 million per year from 2015 until April 2019. Reports in April 2019 indicated that Smith had signed a new contract with ESPN that would compensate him between $8-$10 million annually until 2021. By 2023, it was reported that Smith’s earnings with the network reached $13 million per year, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid television personalities in ESPN’s history.

Acting Career

Smith’s acting career has included various roles, beginning with his appearances in General Hospital, a show he has long admired. He made cameo appearances several times throughout the years. In 2007, he featured in Chris Rock’s movie I Think I Love My Wife. Additionally, he has starred in multiple beef jerky commercials for Oberto. In a recent appearance, Smith had a cameo in Creed III in 2023.

Radio Career

Talk Radio has been a significant aspect of Stephen A. Smith’s career. His radio journey commenced in 2005 with WEPN radio in New York City, leading to the latter half of his show being aired on ESPN Radio. In 2009, he made contributions to Fox Sports Radio, eventually taking the helm of their morning show. In 2013, he transitioned from ESPN radio to Mad Dog Sports Channel hosted by Chris Russo on Sirius/XM. In 2017, Smith returned to ESPN, continuing to host on Sirius/XM. Between 2015 and 2019, he earned $1 million annually from his Sirius/XM radio endeavor.

Controversy

Stephen A. Smith is recognized for his candid, serious, and straightforward commentary style. This “straight-up” approach has inevitably led to several controversies throughout his career. One of the most notable incidents involved his comments about domestic violence related to an NFL player and his wife, which resulted in a brief suspension. Smith also stirred controversy by suggesting that a certain NFL coach’s decisions were influenced by racial bias. Additionally, he found himself in trouble when he made disparaging remarks after viewing a highlight reel of women’s soccer during the FIFA World Cup.

Personal Life

Stephen A. Smith has never been married. He has two daughters, whose ages are one year apart, but details regarding them remain private. Very little information about his dating life is available, as he is quite reserved about his personal matters. It is rumored that he was once engaged.

 


Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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Data has been gathered from 2023 and 2024, with projected data for 2025 and 2026. We have extended the forecast data up to 2027 and 2028.

 



* 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.


 


Post Title: Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 9, 2025