Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Title: Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 2, 2025
What is Stephen A. Smith’s Net Worth and Salary?
With a net worth of $25 million, Stephen A. Smith is an American figure in sports media. His annual salary stands at $13 million. Known primarily for his appearances on various ESPN shows, Smith is also a writer who contributes to ESPN’s websites and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Additionally, he has found considerable success in talk radio and has made cameo appearances as an actor in several films, typically portraying himself.
Salary
From several years leading up to April 2019, Stephen A. Smith earned a salary of $5 million annually. In mid-April 2019, a new contract with ESPN was signed, increasing his salary to $8 million per year, which made him both the highest-paid ESPN personality and the top sports caster worldwide. He relinquished the title of the highest-paid sportscaster in March 2020 when Tony Romo signed a CBS contract worth $17 million annually. Currently, Smith earns $13 million each year from ESPN.
Turning Down $90 Million
In June 2024, it was disclosed that Stephen A. Smith had declined a contract proposal from ESPN amounting to $90 million. This five-year offer, averaging $18 million annually, was reportedly turned down as he sought a deal that would provide a salary of $25 million per year.
Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images
Early Life
Originating from the Bronx, New York, Stephen A. Smith was raised by a father who operated a hardware store. Before running the store, his father was a notable basketball and baseball player. Born in 1967, he was the second youngest among seven siblings. His passion for basketball developed at an early age, leading to a basketball scholarship that allowed him to attend Winston-Salem State University. Prior to this, he spent a year at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
During his college basketball tenure, Smith played under the esteemed coach Clarence Gaines, which significantly enriched his understanding of the game. Despite the coach’s fame, Smith was candid in his criticisms, even advocating for Gaines’ retirement due to health issues as he approached graduation. Smith completed his university education in 1991.
Early Journalism Career
Following college, Stephen A. Smith’s first significant journalism position was at the Winston-Salem Journal, where he fulfilled the role of a clerk in the sports department. This entry position paved the way for future opportunities. He soon secured more prominent writing positions at publications like the Greensborough News and Record and New York Daily News. However, his most notable advancement came when he joined The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Initially, Stephen A. Smith dedicated his focus entirely to the Philadelphia 76ers as
Initially starting as an NBA writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Smith’s role within the publication grew over time. He received two promotions throughout the years and ultimately ascended to the position of general sports columnist. Despite his significant following garnered through the publication, The Philadelphia Inquirer opted to terminate his employment in 2008. Following this, Smith launched his own blog and successfully won a court case against his former employer two years later. The ruling mandated that The Philadelphia Inquirer rehire Smith, while stipulating that he must eliminate all political and personal views from his content.
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ESPN
Starting his journey with ESPN in 2003, Stephen A. Smith’s initial position was as an analyst for the NBA Shootaround pregame show, which subsequently evolved into NBA Countdown. By 2005, he was hosting his own program, Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith, which was canceled in 2007. Additionally, he hosted a daily show titled The Stephen A. Smith Show. However, sports enthusiasts likely recognize him most from ESPN’s First Take, which he joined in 2012. Smith has made appearances on 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, his salary from ESPN was $5 million. As of April 2019, it was reported that Smith secured a new contract with ESPN that would compensate him $8-$10 million yearly through 2021. By 2023, reports indicated that he earns $13 million annually from the network, underscoring his status as one of the highest-paid TV personalities in ESPN’s history.
Acting Career
Stephen A. Smith has ventured into acting, debuting with a cameo in General Hospital, a show he has long admired. He cropped up in more than one cameo appearance throughout the years. In 2007, he took part in the film I Think I Love My Wife, directed by Chris Rock. Furthermore, he has appeared in various commercials for Oberto beef jerky. In 2023, he made a notable cameo in Creed III.
Radio Career
Stephen A. Smith’s involvement in Talk Radio has been substantial throughout his career, starting with WEPN radio in New York City in 2005. Over time, the latter part of his show was aired on ESPN Radio. In 2009, he began contributing to Fox Sports Radio and eventually hosted their morning show. In 2013, he departed from ESPN radio to join Chris Russo’s Mad Dog Sports Channel on Sirius/XM. However, in 2017, Smith returned to ESPN, with his show being aired once more on Sirius/XM. During the period from 2015 to 2019, he earned $1 million annually from his Sirius/XM radio endeavors.
Controversy
Renowned for his candid, serious, and straightforward commentary, Stephen A. Smith’s direct style has landed him in several controversies. One of the most notable incidents involved his comments regarding domestic violence related to an NFL player and his spouse, which led to a brief suspension. Additionally, Smith stirred controversy by suggesting that the decisions of an NFL coach were influenced by racial bias. He attracted further criticism when he made disparaging remarks after witnessing a highlight reel of women’s soccer during the FIFA World Cup.
Personal Life
Stephen A. Smith has never married and is a father to two daughters, who are born one year apart. However, little information about them is publicly available. Smith remains reserved regarding his personal life and has not disclosed details about his dating history, though there are rumors of a previous engagement.
Stephen A. Smith Net Worth (Money & Salary)
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The data is from 2023 and 2024, with additional forecast data available for 2025 and 2026, and extended forecasts for 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 2, 2025