Stephen A. Smith on His ESPN Contract Talks & Expanding His Media Presence | The Rich Eisen Show

‘First Take’ host Stephen A. Smith opens up to Rich Eisen about his future in media along with his current contract talks to remain at ESPN.
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[@Lexyboogie]

I don’t think SAS realizes that the more we see him, the more we get tired of him. He’s gotten insufferable now that he’s always online.

[@Doh_Chee]

It's impossible for him to realize it when it's based on your feelings and not facts. He is a ratings magnet. His YT channel over took or quickly catching up to many who's been at it for much longer.

[@princetut1445]

@@Doh_Cheewell said💯

[@YaboiPerky]

@@Doh_Cheethe problem is, weirdos like you don’t care if people love you or hate you. Stephen is unanimously mocked on every social media platform and multiple other big time radio and tv hosts have said lots of things about his latest antics with his podcast. He didn’t say Stephen wasn’t worth a lot of money, he said people are sick of hearing him

[@Doh_Chee]

@YaboiPerky weirdo? What are you 12? If people are sick of him, then why do they tune in whenever and wherever he is on? You seem to be but hurt about reality. Does reality hurt your feelings sometimes? Mocked or not, he is an entertainer and he entertains at a high level.

[@doublecell966]

Then stop fucking watching then. People who keep complaining about this man will tell you how they're tired of him and then turn around and tune into first take to see what he has to say about their favorite team or player. Honestly the only thing tiring are the ones complaining about him.

[@brownboyut]

I love that this guy talks about how well he does television, but can’t be bothered to try and light himself correctly.

[@jimosborne2]

Only here to leave my strong objection to anything involving SAS.

[@michaelzatarga5157]

This man is a waste of digital space. And ESPN is wasting value resources on an individual who should not be on only airwaves.

[@user-yy9hk9od9u]

Don't resign him.

[@Ballin-97]

This is the man who has been debating the Lakers head coach for the last 2 years

[@coreyd.johnson2450]

As SAS moves into politics ..I just hope he approaches it from a factual basis not from an entertainment perspective.

[@nobody-cl1xr]

Doesn’t he already get enough attention

[@davidactionfigure]

I like how when Screamin A goes on other peoples shows, he doesn’t yell and shout like he does in his own crap show. It’s almost like he knows sensible people don’t like that crap and it only works on lowest common denominator sport talk show that default plays in airports and waiting rooms

[@RyanTravelball]

Used to love SAS. Not trashing or anything but Rich have a better show sas have ever put together overall quality speaking

[@tjayd1225]

Would ya look at that, the man who averaged 1.5 points per game at Winston Salem after hitting 17 straight 3 pointers in a practice to earn a scholarship 😂

[@Solitude82]

He wants to be Steve Harvey pretty much

[@WilliamJ.-jg3ym]

I don't get it. He's one of the reasons I don't watch ESPN save for games and night time SVP. And if SAS is on a pregame, halftime or postgame show, off the channel goes. Lord help us all if a network is stupid enough to increase the media presence of SAS. Guys like that need to be diminished from the airwaves. Completely.

[@mannygibson6913]

Well, u love to watch him apparently.

[@twojeeze]

Sure some people feel that way about him but they are definitely in the minority. There's a reason why he's the biggest and most valuable personality they have at ESPN, so the majority of people like him. The ratings say so. He's definitely the main reason I still watch ESPN, along with Shannon

[@jimmyk7527]

@@mannygibson6913 SAS is horrible, unless he has a show about himself that’s his favorite audience. Politics how can’t he do that without yelling he is a one trick pony. You can like him but personally he does nothing for a lot of people.

[@WilliamJ.-jg3ym]

@@mannygibson6913 Not true. When he his on, I'm tuning out. I didn't watch this video. I just wanted to comment on how awful his brand is, imo.

[@maimyohmine]

I watch his videos as much as I can!

[@JohnStockton7459]

Stephen A thinks hes worth 25,000,000 a year 😂😂😂

[@demetriushill9725]

He's Worth Whatever A Network Will Pay Him Plain and simple

[@ahmedabukar3821]

Actually 25 million over 5 years is too much money Stephen A is asking. He realistically deserves 20 million over 5 years which still will make him highest paid sports talent at ESPN Network.

[@tlcp53b49]

He is because he is ESPN right now

[@steelpookie7597]

You do realize the company’s opening offer was something like $18M/yr and we know ownership will often low ball the initial offer. So a $25M counter isn’t laughable it’s negotiating.

[@ahmedabukar3821]

@@steelpookie7597 Yeah Hello I knew what ESPN’s initial offer was which was 18 million per year over 5 years, but he wants an exorbitant, unrealistic negotiating demand of 25 million over 5 years which is unheard of Even for best sports media analyst and face of network. There’s a thing called compromise and I wrote this to @stephenasmith couple of days ago, which is what’s middle number math wise between 18 mil and 25 mil, and that number is about 22 million. Therefore, compromise could be 22 million over 5 years which is 110 million total. But, before contract negotiations began until recently, reports over past 2 years was he was seeking close to or 20 million per year over 5 years which is appropriate salary of 100 million total, and not a penny less in my opinion.

[@southsidetone]

wasnt smith talking down on youtubers and now he doin youtube content

[@99guspuppet8]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ i vote that SAS retire

[@modnairfeargach]

Stephen A Smith is the Drake of sports broadcasting

[@rinceradio]

He's so arrogant and self-obsessed.

[@FarajiCouncil]

So Rich is just over 772k in KZbin subscribers and after 14 months Stephen A is just about the same number in subscribers? And nobody sees how wrong that is?

[@jonathanpeters5027]

With all due respect, Stephen A has a much bigger following than Rich.

[@baileyreichert6138]

No. SAS is a bigger name than Rich . As great as Rich is.

[@FarajiCouncil]

@@baileyreichert6138 that is the issue. Rich should be way bigger than SAS

[@birdgangnaj]

​@@FarajiCouncil how so? Because you say so? Lol

[@alltech632]

Talk about over paid and lack of talent

[@maimyohmine]

Stephen A. Is my favorite commentator in sports!

[@wack...]

Said no one ever

[@deonpowe9259]

SAS said tht dak doesn't deserve major money but had no problem wth trevor lawrence getting 55m per yr wth a 20-30 record and 1 playoff win. Resume must mean something; now he's up for a new deal and im sure he's going to use the resume as a negotiation tactic--but spoke negatively on dak--wht a hypocrite!

[@PeeJayBrownJr]

Until he steps on a real political/cultural landmine and finds himself hunted by the social justice cancel mob and calls for your job.

[@Davis_Jr]

People say they’re tired of Stephen A but the ratings says otherwise

[@brianbenedict8374]

Who cares !!!

[@columbiachronicle]

Rich you're awesome for giving props when props are due.

[@jdc4483]

I love your show but anytime SAS appears on a show I skip it. He was and is one of the loudest hate-mongers and race-baiters over the past five years. He loved cancel culture until it started canceling him. IMO the only reason he’s now getting exposure on non-liberal media/sports media is that his ratings are tanking and his demographic is now narrow. He’s panicking. I’ll continue to support your show, but taking a break for this segment.

[@deonpowe9259]

Totally agree but it seems like you are talking abt jason whitlock also!

[@jdc4483]

@@deonpowe9259 agree. I used to enjoy Whitlock but now he seems obsessed with SAS that his show rarely is about sports itself.

[@musicofnote1]

SAS - compared to Rich, SAS is a loud mouth wannabe "sports guy*. Appealing - not to me.

[@luckycarlos1991]

I literally can’t stand Stephen A.

[@Sportsfilmappreciator]

Why does he have to announce how many subscribers he has,l

[@deonpowe9259]

Not bad considering marcellus wiley has a podcast for abt 2 yrs and only hve 149k subscribers--while working for 2 major networks (fs1 and espn) 700k subscribers is pretty awesome compared to marcellus wiley!

[@jameshenry6098]

I only go on first take see Molly .🌹

[@scruffd0g193]

Shannon Sharpe has mastered the media, whereas Stephen A Smith just wants to be on TV all the time.

[@jacobball8422]

Im a little surprised he only has 700k subs. I woulda thought he had over 1M. I know im.subscib3d to his show and watch frequently

[@popandroid]

bet he didn't have los cojones to ask him about his SCREAMING anti-Michigan vendetta last November-January...

[@devindepascal4009]

No one has more integrity than the man whose sole identity is to troll Cowboys fans.

[@shawness93]

Not on the same level as Mcaffee. Mcaffee has a much larger audience than Stephen A.

[@jcollins8639]

BUT!!!!! Don’t be stupid when you do it. Please

[@michaelmarlowjr7896]

Wow when you guys criticized coaches for entertaining opportunities you guys were chastising them. But now… hmmm? World changing. Ain’t it?

[@javierrazo3876]

Yes resign him. I need another excuse not to watch their terrible programming

[@andys242424]

Future daily show host

[@kurtrogers9658]

Its amazing to me how much more tolerable he is when he pops up outside of ESPN programming

[@clintcoleman6300]

Him taking over for Kimmel.? He says he can do it. There’s a reason that hosts on those shows have an easily likable sense of humor. SAS is NOT that. Plus, you have to “listen” to guests and let them shine. I see him having diarrhea of the mouth in int

[@wack...]

Hosts on those shows are not funny

[@Rem_papi]

😂 so much hate in these comments lol as a fan of the game you’re a GOAT mr smith thank you for being unapologetically you sir! One of the reasons I went to J school was because of you, F a hater

[@jcollins8639]

Be safe in the space of TRUTH. Everything else will play out

[@conradnitty3714]

🔥🔥🚀🔥🔥

[@jcollins8639]

Go Be President Seven A

[@Keroppi200]

First

[@jameshenry6098]

He’s annoying and over his head

[@Drj-69]

Skip made this guy. I can't wait till he is off the air. His whole biography is Bullshit....