ESPN’s $100M Stake in Stephen A. Smith as He Contemplates Running for President

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Stephen A. Smith is primarily recognized for offering candid perspectives on sports matters. Lately, there’s been a flurry of questions about whether he might consider running for President of the United States. Initially, he had dismissed the idea, but recent comments from him hint that he may now be open to the thought of entering the political arena. This leads me to think about the substantial contract extension ESPN recently offered him.

What Exactly Did Stephen A. Smith Say About Running For President?

More recently, at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, the 57-year-old sports commentator was questioned about the possibility of him running for POTUS. At that time, he expressed no intention to do so, stating that life has been treating him well. Stephen A. Smith further elaborated that he doesn’t fit the typical mold, as he can’t offer favors or act aggressively when required. However, in a subsequent post on platform X, Smith hinted at a shift in his stance by sharing an article from Barrett Media about his previous comments.

It’s time for some serious changes. Life is wonderful, and it’s even more so at ESPN/Disney. Politics hold no appeal, I’ve had enough of the chaos. So, I’m keeping every opportunity under consideration.

Stephen A. Smith’s remark “I’m sick of this mess” appears to express dissatisfaction with the current state of politics. He didn’t delve into specific issues, but this development is intriguing given his previous statement that he has no intention of running for office. Yet, he hinted that if the American people were to encourage him, he wouldn’t be upset by it. This leaves us pondering how ESPN might react, considering their recent agreement with him.

How Much Is Stephen A. Smith’s New Deal With ESPN Worth?

It’s no secret that the long-time co-host of “First Take” is a well-known figure at Disney’s sports-focused network. Therefore, I wasn’t taken aback when they renewed his contract. But what did surprise me was discovering a few weeks ago that he signed a five-year deal worth over $100 million. Interestingly, this amount was reportedly agreed upon last fall. Needless to say, that’s quite a large sum of money, and it makes me ponder if the celebrity might consider abandoning this deal to venture into politics instead.

More on Stephen A. Smith

During an interview with ESPN, LeBron James didn’t mince words when he openly criticized Stephen A. Smith once more, following their on-court altercation.

Recently, Stephen A. Smith has ventured into fresh professional areas. He’s delved into political news coverage and commentary about societal issues that encompass more than just sports. Moreover, he’s been expressing opinions on pop culture matters through his own show, which he releases on social media platforms. So far, topics such as Taylor Swift and favorite Pokémon starters have been among the discussions in this show.

As a devoted fan, it’s intriguing to see Stephen A. Smith expanding his horizons, but sports-centric projects continue to be his forte. Frankly, I can hardly imagine him swapping ESPN for a career in politics, considering the substantial remuneration he currently enjoys. Moreover, rumors are circulating that he might collaborate with Charles Barkley, thanks to the recent licensing deal for Inside the NBA. Frankly, I can’t help but think that any verbal sparring between them would be just as passionate, if not more so, than any political debate.

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2025-04-09 00:07