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STEPHEN A. Smith thinks that he is better than Dak Prescott.
THE First Take host never shies away from clowning on the Dallas Cowboys, but he took it to another level by taking a shot at their quarterback.
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Stephen A. is on the hunt for a new contract extension, and Prescott recently earned an extension of his own.
The Cowboys resigned Prescott on a massive $240 million contract for five years, but that deal irked Stephen A.
The First Take star thinks he is more valuable to ESPN than Prescott is to the Cowboys, and he made that known in an interview with Boardroom.
“Dak Prescott just signed a contract for $240M, he’s making $60M a year… has won 2 playoff games in eight years,” Stephen A. said.
“I’ve been No. 1 for 12 [years]. In our respective industries, I win. I’m fully aware what I’m worth.”
Stephen A. is on the hunt for a massive payday just like Prescott.
He is looking to become one of the highest earners in television, seeking north of $100 million on his next contract.
Reports state that Stephen A. wants an annual value of $25 million per year on his next deal, whether that be from ESPN or some other network.
While Stephen A. continues to seek out his massive new contract, some behind the scenes aren’t looking forward to it.
Members of the First Take cast think Stephen A. getting a huge contract could be terrible for the show.
One source told The U.S. Sun that they think Stephen A. is only about the money, and they are concerned his massive salary could cause production members to lose their jobs.
“I mean, every time he does an interview, or a public appearance, or even just open his mouth it’s ‘me, me, me’ and ‘money, money, money’ all the damn time,” a member of the production team told The U.S. Sun.
“Every single day on our group chat on WhatsApp we have always tons of quotes and stuff about Stephen A. Smith, it’s very frustrating, as this is getting out of control.
“He is in a massive public relation campaign, to show to the world that he is the ‘best,’ the ‘top guy on TV and sports industry’ and it’s getting really pathetic to be honest with you.”
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
The source claimed that employees are scared to speak up around the show in fear of losing their jobs.
“Many of us are fed up of this constant ‘Stephen A. Smith show,’ but we can’t say anything because we are scared that his requests will be reached and that could cost us our jobs as the money that he asks is massive, it’s insanity in my opinion,” the source continued.
“The negotiations are taking forever, but until a decision is made, and the new contract is signed, our situation is very unpredictable, as many of us are scared that they will have to cut cost on one side, the crew, the workers, to give him his money.
“It’s adding a lot to an already very, very tense situation, and there is no tranquility, no serenity at out work at the moment with every thing is going on. His requests add more to it, that is for sure.”
Stephen A. becomes a free agent in 2025, and could end up on a new network if he doesn’t sign a new deal by then.
So far, ESPN hasn’t been willing to meet his $25 million per year desires.
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