Stephen A. Smith Net Worth: Breaking Down Contract, Endorsement, and More

Stephen A. Smith, as a media professional, has emerged to be one of the most influential media personalities out there who has developed across various sports. With his talent as a speaker and knack for sports, he is currently the face of ESPN's program First Take, along with debates on contemporary topics and on-point analysis, and with a charm. Eventually, he is one of those people whom the audience loves to listen to at the end of the day regarding all things sports.

Over the years, along with his ability to speak for hours on sports, Stephen A. Smith also conducts interviews with sports bigwigs and hosts different ESPN events. This extensive portfolio has added a lot to Stephen A. Smith's net worth since the networks need a face who can grab the audience's attention for a long time.

Stephen A. Smith Net Worth in 2025

After the lucrative contract that Stephen A. Smith recently signed with Finance Monthly, the net worth of the sports analyst is expected to be around $85 million. Even Celebrity Net Worth estimates Stephen A. Smith's net worth to be around $40 million. The major reason why his net worth is estimated so low by CNM is that the platform has not considered the hefty deal he inked with ESPN.

Smith entered the world of broadcast networks in 2014, and before that, he was hustling through radio and print media. However, as soon as he associated with ESPN, he made major progress. The first one was the $9 million in 2014 that Stephen signed as a presenter. Later on, the channel was so impressed with Stephen that they quadrupled his monetary reward. That's why in the current era, Stephen A. Smith is considered one of the highest-paid sports personalities ever.

Stephen A. Smith Contract

Stephen A. Smith is currently on a $100 million contract with ESPN for a period of five years. He signed the contract recently on March 6, 2025. As per Athletic, the details of the contract agreement were not revealed, but apart from ESPN's 'First Take', Smith will not have a major presence on the rest of the network programs. He will be able to talk more openly about politics and other heated topics.

Before the present contract, he was on a five-year extension with ESPN, which he signed in 2019, worth $60 million. Even when he had a learning disability during his childhood, Stephen evolved to overcome his disability and became one of the biggest celebrity media personalities.

• Base Salary: $20 million annually

• Performance Bonuses: Up to $1 million based on ratings metrics

• Exclusive Rights: Smith must prioritize ESPN-related content and appearances.

• Content Production Rights: Allowed to produce shows under his own media company, but distributed through ESPN platforms.

According to the contract, Stephen A. Smith is expected to remain the face of ESPN broadcasting till the end of at least 2028.

Stephen A. Smith Salary

With the latest $100 million engagement that Stephen A. Smith has inked with ESPN, there are expectations that he will earn about $20 million annually, according to the deal. There is no credible information, but he also receives bonuses based on additional duties like NBA Finals coverage and exclusive interviews. We have curated the tabular breakdown of his salary:

Before his current salary, Smith was on a $60 million contract, earning $12 million a year, especially after the extensions that he received from the channel for his excellent services.

Stephen A. Smith Endorsements and Sponsorships

No doubt, ESPN's First Take is the source of primary income for Stephen A. Smith. However, apart from that, he also earns money from endorsements and other engagements like sponsorships with brands to promote them while doing his job as a broadcaster and commentator. Considering the reports, he is expected to be associated with the following brands.

Adidas

Reportedly, Smith inked an endorsement deal with Adidas in 2021. The worth of this deal is expected to be $2 million per year for two years, along with the promotion of Adidas' Boost line. Moreover, he also appeared in events and promotions, meetups of Adidas, for standing up to the signings of his agreement.

DraftKings

Just like LeBron James, Kevin Hart, and Michael Jordan, Stephen has also joined hands with DraftKings, which is a popular sports betting company. His signing was reportedly worth $1.5 million annually, and he frequently participates in the promotional segments that relate betting advice to sports commentary. Even as a sponsor, the brand has rooted deep in the audience through Stephen's involvement.

Pepsi

Smith reportedly also inked a sponsorship deal with PepsiCo in 2024. The purpose of the deal was the promotion of Mountain Dew’s “Game Fuel” energy drink series. The agreement included appearances in commercials, branded content, and social media promotions. That's why Stephen supposedly earned $1 million/ annum from his new source of earnings.

Stephen A. Smith Investments

Apart from ESPN, Stephen A. Smith has invested in several business and media projects in the world of sports and media. He has launched several media ventures, including his own production company, which produces content related to sports and culture. Moreover, Smith has also appeared in films and TV shows. His off-screen appearances in front of the camera include cameo appearances in popular shows such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and participation in various commercial endorsements.

Stephen A. Smith has demonstrated a keen eye for financial opportunities beyond broadcasting. Some of his notable investments include:

Stephen A. Smith Assets

Stephen A. Smith is a sophisticated man who loves to live a luxurious life, and that's why the lavish items and assets are a general part of his life, considering that he has been active in the broadcasting industry for a long time.

Properties

Stephen A. Smith's real estate portfolio owns several properties, including a notable mansion in Manhattan. This spacious penthouse has a panoramic view of the city skyline and features state-of-the-art amenities. It also has a personal gym, a home theater, and multiple entertainment spaces. Reportedly, he also has a $5 million mansion with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms in New Jersey.

In addition to his Manhattan property, Smith is also the owner of a waterfront villa in Miami worth about $3.8 million.