After reportedly securing Stephen A. Smith, ESPN is making a massive $210 billion streaming move

Over the years, ESPN has become the hub for all things NBA. There’s no denying that many rely on media moguls for basketball updates. However, with the recent decline in viewership, things became a bit worrisome not only for the organization but also the league. But audience connection issues aside, we should give sincere thanks Stephen A Smith for keeping us glued to the sport with his ruthless opinions.

ESPN has apparently extended its contract with SAS by around $120 million. An interesting fact you should know: The veteran analyst’s earnings are equal to that of Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving. But that’s beside the point. Stephen A. Smith is poised to become ESPN’s first $100 million talent. However, some inside sources suggest that the contract has not yet been signed. There are “There are still issues to be resolved.”

During ESPN Media Day in Bristol this fall, Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized Stephen A. Smith’s value to the network, stating: “Stephen is very important to us. We have plenty of time here, so there is no urgency. But my strong desire is to make a deal with him.” SAS has invaluable experience spanning more than three decades. Yes, he could be a bit brutal or rather blunt at times with his analysis. What remains undeniable, however, is the fact that Stephen’s comments add spice to the NBA scenes.

Meanwhile, something big is happening with SAS parent organization ESPN.

Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN is teaming up with streaming giants

The scenes will soon change. Why? Because ESPN is teaming up with Disney+ to appeal to families and casual sports fans. On Wednesday, the $210.88 billion entertainment giant made the media giant’s content available to its consumers. Simply put, Disney+ allows users to enjoy sports action even if they don’t directly use ESPN’s broadcast hub.

Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said: “One of our priorities is expanding the audience. And we love the idea of ​​potentially targeting casual fans directly and tapping into the very large female audience on Disney+.” He further added, “We see an opportunity to help the Disney+ platform create more engagement and differentiation, and also ESPN to help grow our audience.”

Disney’s research shows that there is minimal overlap between its organization’s offerings to linear channel viewers and Disney+ subscribers. This simply means that we can watch Stephen A. Smith’s action on the streaming platform and don’t have to rely on ESPN’s broadcast. Well, this is good news for the die-hard NBA fans who are waiting early First recording.

Additionally, Smith has become a shrewd businessman with many opportunities. Timing is on his side. NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video, which are gearing up for NBA coverage in 2025-2026, are ready to “back the brink truck” for him. His YouTube show has nearly a million subscribers and he explores late night TV, news and acting. Stephen A. Smith has all the levers in his hands. But what will the veteran do now that a contract extension is just around the corner?

Stephen A. Smith is ESPN’s crown jewel and has the power to spice up NBA coverage like no other. With rumors of a massive contract and his reach expanding through streaming giants like Disney+, his influence is undeniable. But with rivals ready to roll out the red carpet, his next move leaves everyone guessing. As always, the ball is in Stephen’s court!