That man is the face of the network and has carried it on his back for a decade. ESPN makes billions off his name and likeness. $25 million a year is chump change

@imgonnapackit

29 күн бұрын

@@peaceistheanswer275 where has he carried it to? And is the network still going that same direction?

@pricelessstudiodesign4312

26 күн бұрын

@@imgonnapackit are you serious? The show has been #1 year after year. Stop being so closed minded and look at the fact. If you dislike him or the show that's perfectly fine you're entitled to that but you can't deny the fact that his show has been number one year after year. You guys are missing the point, all of you keyboard warriors would want your bag as well. IF you feel like you're worth it you'll want to get paid as well. Regardless if you like him or the show it's been #1 for years period. Let's stop with all the BS excuses the show has been number one and that's facts. Therefore if that's the case pay the man and keep it moving, anyone else who's complaining that he shouldn't get paid is only lying to themselves. Many of us have quit jobs because they pay suck so it's the same exact thing.

@imgonnapackit

26 күн бұрын

@@pricelessstudiodesign4312 all I did was ask two questions. How is that closed minded?

@pricelessstudiodesign4312

26 күн бұрын

@@imgonnapackit you asked (where has he carried it to?) Would you agree that he's dominated the ratings and his competitors and have been number one year after year? And is the network still going that same direction? Regardless if it's going in the same direction the ratings speak for itself wouldn't you agree? After all every show on TV or any network is all based on ratings, we've seen seasons of shows get cancelled because the ratings sucks. So that's why I said are you closed minded to not see that. Hate him or love him the man's show is #1 year after year. The question is if so how and why and if it's because of him we gotta give the guy his props he's done his job.

@robertriteman3227

9 күн бұрын

Outside of ESPN i find SAS an informed person with good comments but in context of ESPN he is replaceable and you distort the numbers in that it has declined during his tenure and the primary reason for his numbers is the fact that ESPN gutted itself of talent in order to excessive sums to him and a few others. His ego has hurt the quality of the show over the past few years ( and I am not a Cowboys fan) . @@pricelessstudiodesign4312

Stephen A advocated publicly for his own replacement to be hired, Shannon Sharpe.

Don’t ever forget at one point Stephen A Smith was doing Get Up, First Take, NBA Countdown, and Sport-center at Night. All in the same day. Which led to Charles Barkley to say “You not going work me like a dog and not pay me.” “I’ll be on ESPN Deportes Shaq 😂” You a flat out hater if you don’t think Stephen A deserves it. He be working hard, I can’t even lie.

@Booyaahh5050

Ай бұрын

Facts

@christophercomitini8619

Ай бұрын

no watching those shows for SAS.

@randolphdefreese7874

Ай бұрын

which probably add up to about six hours of work.

@erictate04

Ай бұрын

@@randolphdefreese7874 Even with your logic.. If Stephen A works 6 Hours that means his co workers are working for 1 hour. Which means he works 5x harder than everyone else 😂. You proved my point.

@ifyjoanna

Ай бұрын

​@@randolphdefreese7874you think they only work on camera?

Sas deserves to be the highest paid. He is the face of the network.

@WalkingWallet

Ай бұрын

Exactly, especially since Joe Buck getting that much for 1 nights worth of work

@kerokero3082

Ай бұрын

He's not only the host , but is really a producer

@robertriteman3227

9 күн бұрын

Perhaps that is why the network has been in decline in terms of both fiscal results and talent. I really have nothing against him especially when he appears on actual news shows or Bill Maher etc as in those contexts he is thoughtful and informed - if they want to choose to keep him then they can do so but he is not irreplaceable .

Over the years SAS has become nothing more than a cartoon character on ESPN.

@user-eq9zc3me7i

Ай бұрын

Agreed! The fact that he is so popular tells you just how dumbed down our society is. You would think people would get tired of this charlatan's cartoonish act but apparently, they do not.

@AM.10

Ай бұрын

People want to be entertained , sports is not that serious lol

@shootthejay7002

Ай бұрын

Maybe he will become his true self once the corporate chains are off

@dexterjohnson2392

Ай бұрын

That company has made a lot of money from a cartoon character so….

@user-eq9zc3me7i

Ай бұрын

@@dexterjohnson2392 Unfortunately you are 100 percent correct.

If SAS goes independent we’ll see his downfall he really not that popular as he thinks

@jayy88

Ай бұрын

700,000 followers just on KZread

@marcellangevin

Ай бұрын

I totally agree. I like him on ESPN platform but I really don't like his podcast and he totally failed with his own show back in the 2000's. I am one of the 700k subscribers but don't really care for his own show. Also, 700k followers dosn't equal millions per year so we'll see

@WalkingWallet

Ай бұрын

​@@jayy88Shannon Sharpe got way more followers on two different platforms, did it without ESPN

@jayy88

Ай бұрын

@@WalkingWallet so because Shannon has a following that means SAS doesn’t? What does that have to do with the other. Shannan was also on fox and now on espn.

@jayy88

Ай бұрын

@@marcellangevin I agree 700k isn’t millions but he just started it like a few months ago

SAS is overestimating himself

I think Stephen definitely still needs ESPN. His youtube show is great exposure but not nearly as much as he gets from being on TV.

@trainerrob1622

Ай бұрын

These people are not stupid. He's not going to turn that that amount of money unless he knows his plan B is not going to be able to equal or surpass the number he turned down. His youtube channel is closing in on 1 million subscribers but its not a 1:1 thing and he has more than enough friends in media and entertainment that his stock is not going to depend mainly on fighting for every youtube view. Think about this, Dan just used his platform to help his friend build leverage... Think about how many times they've done this to boost each other.

@KNByam

Ай бұрын

That show does not draw well. He's arguing with himself. Same reason his radio show never did well.

@trainerrob1622

Ай бұрын

@@KNByam He's going to be over a million subs by the time the NBA season comes back around and what is success for that platform? He's near or over 800,000 already.

Without a network SAS would fade away.

@jacobcarpenter4155

Ай бұрын

100%! He’s so annoying and overrated! He’s hot garbage with his tales and attitude

@EAster33

Ай бұрын

Do you think espn would find another him sometimes soon? A year or 2 gap is sports coverage is enough for another such as youtube or amazon to take over

@imgonnapackit

Ай бұрын

@@EAster33 they’ve already got another him on the roster. Shannon can take over SAS role easy. Would do a better job too

@rodngou9864

Ай бұрын

​@EAster33 Tucker Carlson which is 10 times bigger get fire from Fox & Fox is doing well. So ESPN can fire him & will do well. SAS is overrated & will play the. Race card if ESPN don't want to buge

@lonbwoy007

Ай бұрын

True, look at Tucker, he's not making more than when he was at Fox news.

Dan listen to your staff, no one wants to hear this

SAS doesn't just need ESPN, he needs a debate partner. The debates between Shannon and SAS do not go back and forth like they did with Skip or Max Kellerman. When it's just SAS talking on KZread it's not that entertaining. He isn't funny and doesn't drop life advice like Unc . It feels like SAS just rambles.

@CoachDarren

Ай бұрын

Totally agree. Shannon was better with Skip. On first take he is Steven A Smith puppet.

He might not need ESPN, but, he does need an honest barber 😂.

@Josefernandez35563

Ай бұрын

His barber is either missing a finger or he’s blind in his left eye.

@WorldB403

Ай бұрын

@@Josefernandez35563 😂😂😂. I'm glad I was at a red light when I read this 😂😂😂.

@EAster33

Ай бұрын

His barber sure does make an honest living

@guybanks174

Ай бұрын

Nothing wrong with his hair.

I have actively avoided ESPN for everything but the game since they have made SAS the face of the network. It didn’t help that they kept dropping talent elsewhere, as if they were totally replaceable or not even needed (looking at you, Baseball Tonight).

So let me get this straight, ESPN offered $18 million per year to a guy who can only talk about Basketball 🏀 and Quarterbacks 🏈 on a novice level? 🤯

@marcbrooks1

Ай бұрын

It’s about entertainment. And his shows have the top ratings. If he wasn’t worth the money they wouldn’t offer the money.

@KNByam

Ай бұрын

Stop it. As much as we don't like the guy, we cannot deny he brings ratings and he works his behind off for the Network. So Yes, he's worth the money.

@MooreVoicesMedia

Ай бұрын

Yup. Sounds promising. If you possess anywhere near no’s talent, I would apply. They just finished a round of firings last year, so there may be a lot of opportunity, as they build back up.

@MooreVoicesMedia

Ай бұрын

Yup. Sounds promising. If you possess anywhere near no’s talent, I would apply. They just finished a round of firings last year, so there may be a lot of opportunity, as they build back up.

@radudley28

Ай бұрын

Every industry has someone at the top and he is the best in his industry. We can’t hate on the man.

Whether you like him or not, people watch his show.

ESPN died out yrs ago lol

@jumahbrady670

Ай бұрын

Facts 💯 Disney too

@stolpk

Ай бұрын

⁠@@jumahbrady670Disney is worth 22.08 billion dollars and their stock is up over 1 percent in the last year. Sounds dead to me.

Blasphemy. SAS is no Howard Cosell. Dan bad take. SAS is a clown compared to Cosell. How can you debate that? IMO

@LeBatardShow

Ай бұрын

He compared SAS to Howard Cosell in terms of bringing audience. That's the debate and I think ratings prove that.

@dannyburns9850

Ай бұрын

@@LeBatardShow Ok. I thought it was in terms of quality. You guys are the best. Just not a fan of SAS. As corny as Drake to me.✌️

Leaving ESPN would be a big mistake for Stephen A. Most sports fans watch ESPN and it’s always easy to find. Nobody is gonna seek out Stephen A. lol

@robertriteman3227

9 күн бұрын

Outside of ESPN i have found him to be informed and interesting but in context of ESPN and sports he is replaceable and i grew tired of his shtick years ago.

People like sports not SAS. The only reason I even set eyes on SAS is because he is literally all over espn. I would watch espn more if SAS wasn't on espn

I actively avoid SAS content.

Honest question. Do you guys really think SA's schtick can actually stick for long? Do you think the landscape can actually support his approach for much longer?

the onetime he actually declined to escape the allegations of him being ESPN centered. all I know is he won’t get on First Take to talk about the game 7 thriller Monday night. Pat McAfee is actually TRYING to talk ALL sports by bringing on other analysts to talk other sports. SAS only knows football and basketball. what’s the point of buying out hockey from NBC only to put it behind a paywall with 0 talk shows based around that sport.

@HTHAMMACK1

Ай бұрын

He doesn't know football either, especially college football.

I hope ESPN lets him go so we can see about that Dan. No chance he's clearing 25 mil a yr on his own, you need to get off his sack 😂

SAS get that BAG!

You guys have done a great job as well in terms of hockey. Its great to see from up north.

I genuinely think Stephen A may go the same way as Cowherd and Skip without ESPN. He's popular on THE network, not sure how many will follow him off the network

I think LeBatard underestimates how much people don’t like SAS. And how bloated ESPN’s ratings are due to them just being on everywhere, not people actually watching

@jasondaley718

Ай бұрын

Oooo shaddap

@Jorge-lh6px

Ай бұрын

Yeah, I don’t think people will be changing networks simply because SAS is on it.

@juliothom2408

Ай бұрын

I think YOU underestimate how many fans SAS actually has. He’ll do fine if he leaves.

@michaelcorcoran8768

Ай бұрын

​@@juliothom2408He will do fine if he leaves, but I don't think ESPN struggle at all without him.

@blackspider1405

Ай бұрын

Well, he does have a whole lot of people who really do like him. And I can't stand him. But I have quite a few friends who do like him. I'm sure I'm not the only one in that camp.

Damn he’s got a lot balls to turn down 18 mill a year. But he’s negotiating. They come low, you go high, and hopefully they can meet and settle in the middle. ESPN needs SAS and SAS needs ESPN.

"I gotcha! I gotcha..." 😂😂😂

I may be the only one but I love when dan talks sports media it's so interesting to me

Would a gamble site give SAS 20m+ to do his show, maybe. But his numbers on KZread are not that good for a person of his stature. When i look at him, i see Bill O'Reilly and Tucker Carlson. Guys who were #1 on cable news, but when they were shown the door, that audience did not follow them, they stayed for the next person. That's what i think is going to happen here.

ESPN and SAS actually need each other. Him leaving wouldn’t benefit anyone. Most of his connections are folks that work for ESPN. That will just end up splitting the fan base. Some First take fans may end up not watching ESPN, and not all fans will follow SAS wherever he goes.

Great point made about ESPN. It's basically NFL, NBA, and NCAAF coverage that may dabble in MLB, NHL, NCAAB, PGA, and UFC depending on the event. It's sad actually because they can really better their product investing in those other leagues with the addition of others sports and their superstars like soccer (Mbappe & Haaland), tennis (Carlos Alcaraz), and boxing ("Tank" Davis & "Monster" Inoue) which are popular worldwide

I don't watch this show. I just read the headline. Question? Does anyone need ESPN? I don't.

He actually does need ESPN. Look at his numbers on his solo KZread show.

Love it. Know your worth

LMFAO…. Stephen A doesn’t deserve anywhere near that much money.

@Bman32x

Ай бұрын

Ratings = marketing & advertising. Not what you want to hear, $25MIL honestly is low.

@dukdzy5458

Ай бұрын

Explain why he doesn't

@dantenewyork7380

Ай бұрын

One deserves what another is willing to pay. So if that corporate cuk sleeve raising jibbied coward is bringing in eyeballs or agenda distribution... So be it

@shindean

Ай бұрын

The fact that you know it would take ESPN a decade to replace him is exactly why he deserves that much money. There's nobody, not even Pat McAfee, who gets the same Leverage or attention or can actually get away with talking back to Talent. That's power you can't replace

If you remember when SAS found out what they gave Pat McAfee he said he had to get more when his contract is up so here we go lol

What if athletes and others start saying SAS doesn't deserve whatever amount of money, like he does to so many athletes.

Becarful if sas goes to skip they will regret it.

Y’all are tripping, ESPN has always been number one. They’ve replaced Dan Patrick Olberman Eisen survived the death of Stuart Scott, skip left, Colin cowherd left, and many others. SAS is always wrong, attacks black players, and flip flops when called out for his bs.

Just because you're given a platform doesn't mean you can build one. Just ask Roland Martin and Jason Whitlock how that's working for them.

Nobody biding for SAS he needs to take the deal

SAS is very talented and good at what he does. But I’m more likely to turn espn off than on when he’s on-air. I don’t believe him anymore and there are hundreds of former pros I’d rather hear from.

Yes he does!! Tucker Carlson and Bill O'Reilly both learned that lesson the hard way.. both needed the Fox News machine because their audience wasn't just tuning in to watch them.. they enjoy the program. That means the dozens of producers, graphics, directors, guests, reporters etc etc etc that make the program.. SAS will let his ego F around only to find out it's not about him.. nobody really likes SAS as a personality. He's part of the programs we like watching. Shannon will slide right into that slot and be even more likeable

At the end of the day you have to know your worth! So Stephen is doing the right thing! ESPN is making Billions of Dollars a year and he's one of the main reasons why. Everyone, please know your WORTH!!!

Joe buck isn’t the highest paid. Troy Aikman is the highest paid at ESPN at 18-18.5 million per year

He's not worth that ESPN's problem is they have no one else

Does anyone realize that Skip contract is up in 2025 as well? Reunion maybe?

I get it, y’all like hockey. But that doesn’t have anything to do with SAS’s money. Tom Brady is coming off the street and hasn’t done a game yet, but still making more.

Nah, he needs ESPN a lot more than Dan thinks. Stephen A Smith and ESPN have become nigh unwatchable since their purge last year. He says a lot of dumb shit, and at least for me it doesn't draw me in, it makes me says damn he doesn't have a clue and he's annoying about it. Since they changed their lineups I have found myself viewing their KZread content less and less, close to unsubscribing.

@williamakers1101

Ай бұрын

"damn, he doesn't have a clue and is annoying about it" 100% you have to either be knowledgeable or charismatic, and he is neither.

@BigdawgAD-1990

Ай бұрын

Y’all sound like Whitlock fans 😂

@Erocksoco

Ай бұрын

@@BigdawgAD-1990 not at all, just sick of Stephen A's shit 🤣

@BigdawgAD-1990

Ай бұрын

@@Erocksoco I dig it lol

Every time it’s someone black and on top, there’s hate. It’s so ridiculous. Pay the man what he wants

SAS is the network. He’s carried the entire network himself. He’s worth every penny. He’s gonna make them way more then he’s asking for. Like just give him the bread. Or don’t and watch the millions of viewers go out the window. Because 2 reasons. Regardless of how many ppl that don’t like him. They still tune in to see him argue with the ppl they like. And 2nd….he’s got loyal ppl that will follow him. And Fox will come knocking. Just saying.

thank god, we been over SAS for years anyways . first things first been best sports show for a min now

Why is Mike is talking 😮 He is not the EP? Or is he

Steven A Smith does nothing but talk about race and hollers and talk loud. But since ESPN promotes all of that they will pay him.

90 percent of us could care less about the World Cup. We get waxed every time.

We want to hear Dan pontificate, and we want to hear the crew tell Dan, "Nobody wants to hear it." We see sick puppies

Skip bayless hoping SAS leaves ESPN so SAS can go rescue skip’s sinking ship

I agree. Only football and hops ever get discussed. SAS can’t really speak knowledgeably about. Some boxing too

These comments shows how ppl allow their emotions to control what they type because if ppl try to discredit SAS impact on ESPN because they don’t agree with what he says or how he says things, they are emotionally driven

Max is way more talented then SAS

I think they need each other. There’s no way he’s making $20+ mil a year on his own. 🤷🏾‍♂️

Was Greg Cody sparring with Mike Tyson? 😂

Troy and Joe get paid off that NFL money it's not the same money

Tard had to be told people don’t like hearing about how much corporate talent makes? Really?? I dun think so 😂

Stephen A thinks he's the attraction.....HE'S NOT!

I feel sorry for Chris

I miss Max

He's losing ESPN viewers, myself and most people I know tune out when that blow-hard is on. He has become just a black Bayless. People want to hear from people who actually coached or played, not an old news writer with lots of opinions on everything. Also, bring back Jalen and Max!

As soon as people aren't forced to watch Stephen A on ESPN people won't listen at all

Do i thinkg SAS deserves that much, no....but he should be getting way more than Joe Buck🤷🏾‍♂️

SAS is why I dont watch ESPN anymore.

@andreward8268

Ай бұрын

They don't you watching apparently lol😂 they still #1

It's in Dan's interest to make it seem like paying Stephen A Smith 18 million Is somehow good value. Lol

@williamakers1101

Ай бұрын

100%%%% Dan looking after the person he cares most about.

The guy has no life outside of work. Giving him any more money is a waist.

Neither I, nor anyone I know, watch ESPN for SAS. His entire clown show is irrelevant and a joke, he knows nothing about nothing but is so loud it seems like he actually has a valid opinion. What other network would take him ?

I don't watch ESPN because of Smith.

Mike Ryan looks like he ate Steven A.

SAS does need ESPN. he is 100% a ESPN product. he aspires to be PAT MCAFEE who built his worth through social media and leveraged that into a licensing deal with ESPN.. Issue is, PM has been on social media for 8 years building his audience and turned down $120Mil a year deal to accept a $85 mil year. I say that to say, outside of ESPN, viewers don't care about SAS. He doesn't relate to younger generataion ( Gen Alpha to be exact) who 100% consume content on social media and discuss relavent topics outside of sports.( SAS sounds ridiculous discussing trending topics like streamers, and other celebrities or his dating preferences because of his age) SAS biggest issue is, his journalism style is tailor made for ESPN. off the network he is equivalent to any hot take KZreadr who will have ebs and flows of relavancy dependent on trending topics, but it will be nothing compared to his revalency on ESPN. The biggest question for this debate is, could SAS get this kinda deal he is asking for, BEFORE the Mcafee deal? Would he even think to ask for it? IF no, then there is your answer on if he deserves it. My only issue with this, is as much as i am entertained by SAS, the spirit in which he is demanding to be the highest paid talent at ESPN in addition to the other perks he's asking for ( IM ASSUMING HERE), is only a reaction to what he has seen PM and Shannon Sharpe have ( a licensed youtube channel, ownership of their Intellectual property, PM's private jet that takes him and his team everywhere) you cant covent what your neighbor has and think you will be granted that, jealousy is unbecoming.

@jayy88

Ай бұрын

SAS has been on KZread for what a year and has over 700k he’ll be fine

Can you imagine all the talent that ESPN could replace SAS with? We could be back in the glory days of ESPN, $100 million on actual sports analysts instead of some hot take guy? SAS does not provide analysis, agree with most of the other comments, folks are just watching it because of the platform and that it's on TV, I don't believe that folks want to actually watch that show, most of the engagement they get is on social media anyways. Let SAS just go to KZread and use that money to SAVE ESPN!

@fracturedsolace145

Ай бұрын

If you think stephen a is the main problem with ESPN then you are being silly.

I'll chime in too. I wouldn't care if SAS were off my tv. I'd also like to see Malika Andrews and her team on the NBA crew gone. It's such a terrible product.

This is embarrassing. One of the most embarrassing segments I've ever seen on this show.

I dont know anyone who is watching espn... And i know EVERYONE!!!! 😊😊😊😊

SAS might be god to somebody, but I’m comfortable without SAS around.SAS is in same loser class af a doofus as Skip

Shit if you damn turn 18 million down and say you don’t need them you smoking some good 💩!

Retire early Dan Patrick, LeBatard whatever 1/2 your crew is great, bye, bleep ESPN, Fox, all of you. I can do My own research & make up my own mind & look up stats of the day

Nobody watches forst take because of SAS. They just watch because its espn.

Wrong, Shannon can easily replace him and get more viewers

Joe Buck is the highest paid??????

If Steven A went on his own he would flop.

They don’t cover hockey, soccer, or baseball because those sports are boring 😴

SAS needs ESPN the people don’t love him, only those who likes being lied to. SAS tries 😂play both sides and always abandon’s ship

Also keep him out of MMA.

He is getting too greedy and espn is going to let go of him soon.

If Stephen A died today ESPN would be ok.....let his ass walk. Dude is clueless about anything except basketball.

If Stephen A disappeared tomorrow nobody on TV will miss him. ESPN will be just fine.

Stop it

I hope he finds another job,always trying to play tough and talking tough

Bingo

SA does need ESPN.. his personal KZread is not doing numbers compared to Unc.. unc grew a nightcap fast af in months.. SA been pushing his channel for a minute and it’s not must watch