Stephen A Smith has become one of the most well known sports broadcaster and analyst
in the world, if not the most famous.
Appearing on both Fox Sports and currently ESPN, Smith’s passionate ways, which usually
includes him raising his voice, has become a staple in the sports world.
Especially after the departure of his former co host Skip Bayless, who moved to Fox Sports
in 2016, Smith has become the new face of ESPN.
He currently hosts the Stephen A Smith show on ESPN Radio, frequently appears on NBA pre
shows usually for the finals, and of course, First Take with Max Kellerman and Molly Qerim
(Care UM).
With all this exposure Stephen ain't just getting paid the big bucks, he's also rich
in clout!
At the time of this recording he’s got a total of over 7 million followers on social
media, with 4.27 million on twitter, 2 million on instagram and just under 1 million on his
Facebook page.
Smith also guest stared on a couple episodes of General Hospital, and played himself in
the film Almost Christmas.
All of his success in the sports world has allowed him to earn an estimated net worth
of around $10 million dollars, but that may significantly increase, as it is being reported
that he may sign a 10 million dollar per year extension with ESPN, making him their highest
paid on camera talent the company has ever had.
Looks like he won't have to be waiting around for General Hospital to call him back to set.
Dude's getting paid!
But you'd be surprised at some of things he spends his fortune on...
What's going on guys?
My name is Jarred Bronstein and welcome back to The Rich Life.
In our last few videos we covered 76er’s star Ben Simmons and have done videos on other
celebrities such as Rihanna and Lil Nas X to name a few.
We also recently did a before they were famous on Stephen A, so keep sending in your requests
in the comments down below.
Today’s trivia question is what was Stephen A Smith’s very first car?
Let me know your answers in the comments down below and, I’ll answer the question at the
end of the video, now let's got on with the show.
Stephen A Smith was born on October 14th, 1967 in The Bronx, New York.
He is the youngest of 6 children, with four older sisters and a younger brother, Basil,
who tragically passed away in a car accident in 1992.
Smith’s parents are from the St. Thomas Virgin Islands, with his mother, Janet Smith,
working 16 hour days, 7 days a week to provide for the family.
Smith’s dad, was believed to manage a hardware store, but was also known to be an outstanding
baseball and basketball star, who was drafted by the Giants back in the 1950’s according
to Stephen himself.
Smith would play basketball throughout college which is also where he would catch his big
break from a professor at Winston Salem State.
He would start his career working for the Winston Salem Journal, before moving to the
New York Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
As many of you know, Smith would jump from print to TV and radio hosting, which he still
currently does.
We recently did a before they were famous video on Stephen A, so check that out after
this video to hear a more in depth version about his rise to becoming a prominent figure
in sports broadcast history.
Smith’s reputation of being extremely honest and blunt would quickly grab the attention
of the sports world.
His rise to success would really come when he started hosting First Take with former
co-host Skip Bayless.
Smith gives credit to his former partner for the amount of success he’s been able to
find, hosting multiple TV shows and broadcasts on ESPN, as well as having his own radio show,
The Stephen A Smith show, on ESPN’s radio stations.
After Smith’s return to ESPN in 2011, he would join the crew of First Takes in 2012.
His contract with ESPN was believed to be anywhere between 3-5 million per year.
A handful of sources seem to believe he is currently making 5 million, but that number
is expected to change sooner than later.
Especially since the departure of Skip Bayless in 2016, Smith’s stock in the sports world,
and more specifically ESPN has significantly risen.
On top of all of this, it’s believed he’s also paid an extra million per year because
of his radio show.
Smith
is reportedly in line to receive a contract extension in the ballpark range of 8-10 million
dollars per year, making him the highest paid talent at ESPN, and one of the highest paid
sports broadcaster in history.
His current deal with the sports giant is expected to expire in 2021, but I can guarantee
ESPN will lock Smith up for years to come.
Even if it's just because of the meme's this dude is crushing it on the internet.
Even Smith himself knows he deserves to be their highest paid broadcaster.
In a conversation a Seton Hall University with Bob Ley (LEE), when asked about what
he’s currently getting paid, Smith said the following
“Those who are great get more than those who are not.
Let me be unapologetic in what I’m about to say.
Everybody at ESPN or in the world of sports media does not deserve to get paid what I
get paid.
I don’t believe it.
I didn't bust my tail all of these years for somebody to come along let and say ‘damnit
its about fairness.
We think they should get paid as much as you.’
What?
You don’t generate the revenue I generate.
You don’t generate the ratings I generate.
You ain’t as popular as me.
You don’t resonate as much as me.
You don’t deserve as much as I get.”
I mean he’s got a point.
He really has become one of the faces of ESPN and sports broadcasting in general.
So now that he’s in line to make almost double what he’s currently making, let’s
talk about what he spends his money on.
Smith isn’t the flashiest of guys, although occasionally he can be seen wearing a nice
watch or a bracelet.
Aside from that, he doesn’t really flaunt his wealth too much.
When it comes to clothes, Smith is almost always wearing a dress shirt, suit and tie,
which is obviously due to the fact that it’s his work’s attire.
But even when he’s not working, which seems to be very rare for the man, he’s usually
dresses a little more casually, as you can see right here.
Smith tends to keep his personal life quiet private.
It’s believed he’s single and doesn’t have any children, although there was a rumour
he has a son which he denied on his radio show.
With all the millions the man has been making, I’m sure he treats himself a fair bit.
In an instagram video Smith posted in what seems to be his house, you can tell he is
living quite nice.
When it comes to cars, well Smith definitely splurged on himself.
Depending on the day, Smith can be seen driving around in a Range Rover or Mercedes S class.
More specifically, Smith owns a Range Rover SVAutobiography, which is supercharged with
a V8 engine and has an extra 5.5 inches of rear legroom due to the extended wheelbase.
The luxurious SUV of course comes with quite a hefty price tag around $200,000.
When speaking on the car, Smith said “It’s the best SUV I’ve ever had in my life.
It’s black, it’s got British tan interior, and it is a driving machine to say the least.
I’ve driven in every SUV you can imagine.
I’ve never been in anything like the Range Rover.”
Aside from his SUV, Smith is also known to own a very classy Mercedes S class.
More specifically, the Mercedes Benz S550, which Smith explains is a luxury sedan, which
is ultra smooth and incredibly comfortable.
The Benz also has an extremely hefty price tag starting out at $150,000 dollars.
Aside from his home and cars, Smith of course needs some vacation time.
Although it seems like the man never takes time off, let alone sleeps, Smith is known
to travel to his parents home of St. Thomas, a trip he takes at least once a year.
Smith considers it a second home for him, with many of his relatives and family still
living there.
He also cites the beach and island life as a necessity when you live the way he does,
constantly on his grind and working or hosting multiple shows.
But unfortunately for Smith, the grind never really does stop.
He even cut his vacation early to cover the Kawhi Leonard news.
Aside from spending his wealth on himself, Smith has also been reported to make a hefty
charitable donation to his former school.
More specifically, it was reported back January of 2016 that Smith would be donating a total
of $250,000 or $50,000 per year to Winston Salem State University over the span of 5
years.
Smith graduated from Winston Salem back in 1991, and also started working for the Winston
Salem Journal as a part time clerk during his college years.
When asked about the donation, Smith was quoted saying "It’s the right thing to do.”
Among all his success, Smith also has to thank his agents and managers for his salary.
Although he used to be with Headline Media Management in New York, in 2016 Smith decided
to take his talents West, to Creative Artists Agency in LA.
The move happened around the same time Skip Bayless went to Fox Sports 1, with sources
claiming Smith wanted to renegotiate his deal with ESPN and that he wanted Skip Bayless
money.
Clearly CAA didn’t do what they needed to do to keep Smith happy, because The Hollywood
Reporter broke the news in February of 2019 that he would be leaving CAA and joining WME,
William Morris Endeavour, arguably the top agency in the world, neck and neck with CAA.
It’s also incredibly important to mention that Stephen A Smith most recently signed
a massive deal with the New York Knicks, at 500 million dollars for just 10 days.
Alright clearly that was a joke, but it’s safe to say Smith is doing quite well for
himself.
Now before we end this one, we gotta talk about his first whip.
I asked you at the start of the video what Smith’s first car was?
Turns out, his mother bought him a 1985 Mercury Topaz in 1988 while Smith was still in college.
Smith went on to explain “I needed to get it because I kept having to drive back and
forth from Winston-Salem State.
I was very, very determined to be successful.
You had these journalism conferences and internships, and we were poor.
My mother was struggling to afford anything, and I would beg her, 'Mom if you give me the
car, I'm going to make this into something.'
She was hesitant.
I said, 'I'll tell you what, if you give me the car, I'll be able to work and I won't
need to bother you for money,' and the second I said that to her, she turned around the
ride for me within 48 hours.”
He would go on to buy himself a 1994 Honda Accord after becoming a full time journalist.
Alright I’m wrapping this one up, I’m Jarred Bronstein, be sure to check out our
Before They Were Famous we just did on Stephen A a few days ago, and of course let us know
in the comments below who you’d like to see next.
Find me on instagram or twitter @bronst7 and feel free to DM me your suggestions as well.
I’ll catch ya in the next one.