ESPN’s biggest name is nine months away from free agency. Right now, he appears to have every intention of getting there.

Stephen A. Smith gave a narrow window into the state of his contract negotiations with ESPN in an onstage interview Tuesday.

At the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit in New York, reporter Michael McCarthy asked Smith for an update. “Not a word,” Smith said. 

Then, he said many words.

“They’ve made an offer; I’ve countered,” Smith said. “And that’s where we’ve left it.”

McCarthy has previously reported that Smith could command a deal worth $100 million total, or $20 million annually, which would make him the highest-paid talent at ESPN again. At $12 million a year, Smith was once ESPN’s top dog but has been eclipsed in pay by NFL personalities Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pat McAfee, who each make $15 million or more. 

“I want to get paid,” Smith said. “When you’ve been No. 1 for 12 years, well, what the hell does that warrant?”

Smith laid out part of his case onstage Tuesday, saying that ratings juggernaut First Take generates 10 times as much revenue as when he started hosting the show in 2012.

He said he had strong relationships with Disney CEO Bob Iger and ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro, and was “still getting to know” new ESPN content chief Burke Magnus, who spoke earlier at the summit.

Magnus and Pitaro have repeatedly said they want Smith to remain at the network.

“They have their vision, and I have mine,” Smith said. “If it’s aligned, we’ll work it out. And if it’s not, then decisions have to be made.” 

Smith would lose all leverage in negotiations if he weren’t at least threatening to leave Bristol, and he did that Tuesday.

“If it comes to a decision where I have to move on, I prepared myself mentally and emotionally to be able to do that,” he said. “I don’t want it to come to that because I am very happy at ESPN doing what I do. … If somebody wants you bad enough, they show you.”

While the sides continue to iron out Smith’s pay, he confirmed McCarthy’s reporting that a more prominent role in NFL coverage was something he had sought in contract discussions.

“It’s not always the money,” Smith said. “It’s how you’re treated. It’s the kind of latitude they give you; it’s the kind of support that they give you.”

Smith made no bones about it. “I’ve been blessed and fortunate to be No. 1,” he said. “Last time I checked, the No. 1 sports brand is the NFL. So why shouldn’t the No. 1 guy on the air be a part of the No. 1 product?”

Earlier in the day, Magnus was asked about Smith’s desire to be part of NFL coverage. The ESPN content head said that Smith eventually joining NFL flagship coverage was a “logical conclusion.”

In Monday’s newsletter, we asked FOS readers whether they had thoughts on how Tom Brady did in his first game as an NFL analyst Sunday. Here’s one of the better responses: 

“For me, the qualities of being a very good broadcaster are simple: 

Good voice for the broadcast—Brady’s voice does sound good. He definitely had issues with pausing too often while conveying thoughts. Needs to get more comfortable.

Teach or point something out to me on plays/replays—I felt like Brady didn’t give the viewer nearly enough or gave very little unprompted insight on what the defense was doing or why a play on offense was successful. The best analysts serve the viewer well when they see things the casual fan doesn’t and can communicate those things to the viewer in a clear and concise manner.

Be enthusiastic—Brady needs to let his passion for the game resonate more and be less rehearsed in his points he’s trying to make. Needs to show some of his personality from the field when he played.

I chalk all of the above up to this being his first broadcast. There had to be some nerves and unease being new to the role. As he gets more comfortable, I’m sure he will improve.” 

—Mark L. from Atlanta

“Chaos is our friend because, ultimately, it can give more optionality than what we’re thinking about.”

—Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes said on Canzano and Wilner: The Podcast last week. OSU and Washington State were the two schools left dangling after Stanford and Cal left for the ACC, triggering the end of the Pac-12. While Barnes never mentioned the ACC by name, his statements seem to be pointed at the conference, which is in the middle of lawsuits from Clemson and Florida State.

The uncertainty could open the door for more conference realignment if the schools decide to move, and Oregon State could be the beneficiary. “The most opportunities we’ll have is if there’s a crack that’s opened and we’re positioned. And we will be,” Barnes said.

Under Armour ⬇ The sports apparel company cut its outlook for fiscal year 2025 due to an increase in restructuring costs. The cost increase is linked to the shutdown of a distribution facility in California. The company’s stock was down 8.7% as of market close Tuesday.

NASCAR ⬇ Two teams did not sign a new revenue deal with the league, including Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team. After two years of haggling over the deal, 13 teams did sign NASCAR’s proposal, though the Associated Press reported several teams felt pressured to sign. While it’s unclear what 23XI and Front Row Motorsports will do here—litigation looks like an option—they are risking their participation for next year as their charters will expire in December if they do not sign the deal.

Harlan Capital ⬆ The private equity firm is investing $200 million in NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights via the investment platform Nilly. The platform, cofounded by former NBA veteran and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, differs from other NIL marketplaces as it pays athletes a licensing fee up front and then sources brand deals for them. Nilly will use Harlan’s investment to pay those initial fees to athletes, then the PE firm will take from the earnings from the brand deals.

TikTok ⬆ Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced a multiyear partnership with the popular social media app, including a patch on the Capitals’ white road jersey that will debut Sept. 24 against the Bruins. The partnership will also tie in programming elements with MS&E’s other franchises, including the NBA’s Wizards and WNBA’s Mystics.