Stephen A. Smith breaks out into laughter on First Take after co-star appears to confirm his mega new ESPN contract

STEPHEN A. Smith was in hysterics over a comment made by a First Take colleague who appeared to bring up his potential big new ESPN contract.

The remarks come as reports have swirled about Smith’s negotiations with the network.

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On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that Stephen A. has negotiated with ESPN on a near-$20 million-per-year contract.

However, the contract hasn’t been completed, the report added.

So on Wednesday, First Take host Molly Qerim introduced Smith, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, and college football analyst Paul Finebaum to the program.

“How’s everyone feeling this morning? Are we chipper?” the 40-year-old asked.

Russo couldn’t wait to answer Qerim.

“The guy in front (of) me is very chipper,” Russo said, alluding to Stephen A.’s potential new deal.

“I’ll guarantee ya that. Hello Steve, how are ya?”

Smith and Finebaum was seen laughing at Russo’s remark.

“You’re so crazy,” Stephen A. said while in hysterics. “I’m good. … Let’s roll.”

It was reported by Variety that a new contract with ESPN was close to being agreed upon, but The Athletic reported that Stephen A. “appears unsatisfied where things stand.”

The Athletic added that Smith confirmed through a text that a deal was not close in a short back-and-forth about the specifics of the contract.

“Here’s my quote, ‘I was born AT NIGHT, not last night. I don’t talk about my contract negotiations. Never have. Never will,” Stephen A. said to The Athletic.

Variety also reported that the new deal would hand Smith some “first-look” opportunities for projects at the corporate parent Disney.

His $20 million-a-year salary would be the most money given to an ESPN on-air personality without it being tied to a licensing deal.

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Stephen A.’s contract may end up being agreed at five years and $100 million, per The Athletic.

He is currently making $12 million a year at ESPN.

Since 2012, Smith has been the face of First Take.

He is also an analyst on ESPN’s NBA Countdown.

And on the side, Stephen A. hosts and produces his own YouTube show.