Stephen A. Smith & Pat McAfee (Photos via Getty Images)

Stephen A Smith is looking to secure a huge bag from ESPN next year, and it’s been claimed that he’s using Pat McAfee to help his cause.

Smith is currently on a deal that pays him $12 million a year, which is set to expire next July. According to reports, he’s in line for a significant raise and could earn up to $25 million a year as he’s been keen on becoming the highest-paid personality at The Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports has reported that the ‘First Take’ host is playing the role of the obedient child at the network while McAfee continues to be the delinquent bad boy.

Stephen A. Smith could land a five-year deal worth up to $125 million on his next contract with ESPN, per @MMcCarthyREV

“Sources have relayed that his new compensation could eventually come in between $20 million and $25 million per year over five years, compared to five years,… pic.twitter.com/Pz2dupiJmM

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)

July 9, 2024

Stephen A Smith Is Using Pat McAfee’s Antics To His Advantage

McCarthy cites an anonymous television insider who claims Stephen A. is taking advantage of McCarthy’s prickly relationship with the bosses at ESPN, doing his best to be seen as a team player.

“I’ve got to give Stephen A. credit,” the source told McCarthy. “He’s used that McAfee is such a bad team player to his own advantage. 

“He brings on only ESPN people; McAfee brings on Shams [Charania]. That’s the kind of thing Stephen A. Smith would never do. He lets Pat McAfee frustrate the ESPN executives so much, they’re like, ‘F*** it. Stephen A. is a good team player.’”

Stephen A Smith is just as outspoken as McAfee, though he won’t go as far as calling someone a “white b****” on live television. But he knows how to toe the line.