Stephen A. Smith, known for his thunderous monologues, first joined ESPN in 2005 as a host for  “Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith.” He has been the face of “First Take” since 2012. Smith has hosted radio shows on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and SiriusXM. As a registered independent, he has expanded into politics with appearances on Fox News, NewsNation, and HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” launching his SiriusXM political show “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.” on the POTUS channel. It is safe to say Smith has become ESPN’s most recognizable face.

And earlier this year, The Athletic reported that Smith signed a massive five-year, $100 million extension with ESPN, followed by a three-year, $36 million contract with SiriusXM. Add to that his booming YouTube and podcast revenue, and soon rumors swirl about Smith’s earnings.

What Stephen A. Smith Actually Makes: Inside His $100 Million ESPN Deal

Earlier this year, Stephen A. Smith inked a massive new deal with ESPN — a five-year extension worth $100 million, averaging about $20 million annually between his on-air duties and production responsibilities. The contract cements him as ESPN’s top-paid personality, though he still doesn’t top the entire sports media landscape.

According to reports shared with The Athletic, the agreement ensures Smith will continue to headline First Take, the network’s flagship morning debate show. However, the deal also allows him to scale back on some of his other commitments. That means fans will still get their daily dose of Stephen A. on First Take, but he won’t be as much of a constant presence across the rest of ESPN. Notably, he’ll no longer be a regular face on the network’s marquee NBA pregame show, though there’s room for him to make occasional guest appearances on major basketball broadcasts.

The deal keeps one of ESPN’s signature voices at the network. Smith had been making $12 million a year under his previous agreement with the Disney outlet. The $20 million per year term is noticeably higher than the $18 million a year ESPN was said to have offered in June, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Is the Stephen A. Smith $40 Million Per Year Salary Claim True? Here’s the Real Math

Smith’s earnings extend beyond ESPN. His new SiriusXM contract is for three years and $36 million, according to the sources. That adds $12 million annually from SiriusXM for his daily Stephen A. Smith Show on Mad Dog Sports Radio. Revenue from his YouTube channel and podcast pushes the total higher. Sources indicate he makes another $7 million a year from his podcast. Combined, the $20 million from ESPN, $12 million from SiriusXM, and $7 million from podcast and YouTube result in him approaching $39 million a year.

The $33 million per year base from his two main employers, combined with the revenue from his YouTube channel and podcast, will result in him approaching $40 million a year. For those of you without a calculator, that particular combination of the numbers above is $39 million annually. At 57 years old, Smith is bringing in nearly $40 million per year, according to the report. That number includes his five-year, $100 million extension deal with ESPN, $21 million average. Moreover, his three-year, $36 million deal with SiriusXM, with an average of $12 million, on top of that, the revenue he generates from his YouTube channel and podcast.

Is Stephen A. Smith Really the Highest Paid Sports Insider? Comparing Top Earners in Sports Media

While Smith’s numbers are eye-popping, he’s not at the very top of the sports media earnings list, but he’s close. Here’s how he stacks up:

Brady remains No. 1 in guaranteed base salary. But Smith is the top-earning non-athlete analyst. He’s the only person in the top tier who never played professionally. That’s an anomaly on a list dominated by Hall of Famers and Super Bowl winners.

Fact Checking: Stephen A. Smith’s $40M Salary Claim—What the Numbers Say

The math confirms Stephen A. Smith is making close to $40 million per year. The figure isn’t inflated or speculative. It’s based on signed contracts and consistent revenue streams.

• ESPN contract: $20–21M 
• SiriusXM contract: $12M 
• Podcast/YouTube: $6–7M 
• Total: $39–40M/year

This is sourced reporting, confirmed by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand and Richard Deitsch, who’ve followed ESPN and sports media contracts closely for years. Marchand put it bluntly, “There is an argument that no one in sports media should make $20 million per year, but if anyone should, Stephen A. is at the top of the list.” Smith now makes as much as or more than several of the athletes he covers. The Thunder star and reigning NBA MVP the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will make $38.3 million this year. Unlike his counterparts, Smith is being paid to be Stephen A. Smith, on TV, radio, podcasts, YouTube, and increasingly, in political circles.

While Stephen A. Smith is not the highest-paid sports media figure in pure contract terms, Tom Brady still holds that crown. But when it comes to total annual earnings, brand influence, and reach, Smith is in a tier of his own. He’s not a Hall of Famer or an ex-MVP, but just a media-built juggernaut turned loud takes and unmatched hustle into a $40 million empire.