ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith is widely recognized and celebrated as one of the most prominent and famous sports television personalities in the present era.
Hailing from the Bronx borough of New York City, Smith had a four-year college basketball career at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication.
The outspoken personality started his journalism career in 1994 as a writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, specifically as a columnist for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Smith began hosting a daily hour-long show on ESPN titled "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith" in August 2005. Following the show's cancellation in January 2007, he shifted his focus primarily to basketball, assuming the role of an NBA analyst.
Although he initially departed from the network in 2009, Smith returned in 2012 to host the show "First Take," a position he still holds.
Smith is known for his passionate and expressive commentary and dynamic delivery, often delivering memorable quotes.
With decades of experience in the sports media landscape, many ask: What is Stephen A. Smith's net worth in 2023?
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Stephen A. Smith's Net Worth 2023: $20 million
The 56-year-old Stephen A. Smith is worth $20 million as of 2023, according to several reputable sources such as Celebrity Net Worth, First Sportz, and Freshers Live.
Smith signed a record-breaking five-year contract with ESPN in 2019, which made him the highest-paid sports media personality in the world at that time.
The reported personal salary for the New York native is $8 million per year, alongside a $4 million-per-year production contract. This results in a total annual income of $12 million.
Stephen A. Smith's Wealth
Before his most recent contract with ESPN in 2019, Smith earned an annual salary of $5 million from the network. He now earns $12 million a year, making him one of the best-paid sports broadcasters in the industry.
Smith's primary residence is located in New Jersey, and it was acquired for $1.9 million in 2007. Due to housing market trends, the property has likely appreciated, per Sportskeeda.
Additionally, Smith owns a $7.35 million luxury apartment in Manhattan, presumably serving as his secondary residence. This location is where he is occasionally seen hosting live streams and podcasts.
Despite his significant salary, in November 2022, Smith expressed that he perceives himself as underpaid, especially compared to his white counterparts.
This sentiment considers factors such as his long working hours and status as "the face of ESPN."
In 2023, Smith issued an ultimatum, insisting that he should be the highest-paid individual at ESPN and threatening to depart once his contract concludes in 2024.
For comparison, Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman secured a five-year, $90 million contract in 2022, earning him $18 million annually.
Similarly, the MNF play-by-play announcer, Joe Buck, inked a five-year, $75 million deal, translating to $15 million per year. Notably, both Aikman and Buck are white.
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