'First Take' future without Stephen A. Smith is possible, top ESPN exec says

There was a time when ESPN 'First Take' wasn't synonymous with Stephen A. Smith, and those times could be coming back soon.

Jun 27, 2024 - 07:30

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'First Take' future without Stephen A. Smith is possible, top ESPN exec says

Stephen A. Smith has undoubtedly elevated "First Take" into the sports world's top daytime television show.

The numbers show that "First Take" has seen month-on-month growth for nearly two years straight, and Smith, the show's executive producer and lead analyst, has never been shy to mention on television or his podcast that his show is "number one."

However, there is some uncertainty surrounding the future of "First Take," considering that Smith's contract with ESPN expires in July 2025. Smith's agency, WME, is already reportedly in talks with ESPN about their client's next deal.

Smith wants to be the highest-paid talent on ESPN, but the network has some bargaining chips

Smith has been vocal about his desire to become ESPN's highest-paid talent, which would propel him above NFL commentator Troy Aikman, who is reportedly being paid $18 million a year.

According to a report by Puck, ESPN has offered Smith a contract that would equal Aikman's yearly salary, but Smith reportedly wants around $25 million per year.

ESPN's President of Content Burke Magnus, who is part of the negotiations for Smith's contract, spoke on the podcast "Sports Media with Richard Deistch" on Wednesday, June 26, and mentioned the main difference between paying a talent like Aikman versus Smith.

He said that ESPN is in the business of 24/7 sports programming, so Smith's hours of content are important for the network's overall product. However, live event programming is the most significant piece of a sports network's pie. That means the actual games themselves versus the daytime programs.

"The games are still the games," Magnus said. "That's why you have to sort of calibrate accordingly regarding how you invest in non-game programming."

The perspective from Magnus validates a report by Front Office Sports from last week that Smith was interested in more direct coverage of the NFL through ESPN's studio shows like "Monday Night Countdown." If Smith has the ability to be used in actual game coverage, that could raise his final dollar amount.

Magnus said that a specific plan has yet to be put in place in the event that Smith decides to go elsewhere in a year. Regardless of whether Smith is at ESPN, 'First Take' is not going away, especially given the volume of talent available.

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"'First Take' would continue," Magnus said. "Obviously, we figure that out. There's the great part about the environment that we live in and I sort of credit the YouTube, independent creator ecosystem that exists in today's world. There's never been more people, in my opinion, and more access to more talent than there is today."

Smith's been with 'First Take' since 2011, when then-co-host Skip Bayless brought him back to ESPN after the network fired him. The show has been around since 2007 and has evolved from fixed analysts to a revolving cast of characters around Smith and host Molly Qerim.

While Magnus made the view of ESPN's side of the negotiation table clear, he made sure to be very complimentary of Smith. He said that "nobody works harder" than Smith and that the whole media industry has "high interest" in anything he does.

He also said that while the negotiations are still in its very early stages, he's "optimistic" that the two sides will come to an agreement for Smith to remain at ESPN.