ESPN talking head is nearing $120 million extension

ESPN and Stephen A. Smith are close to an agreement on a contract extension, according to Brian Steinberg of Variety.
The two sides have been in negotiations for months and are reportedly hopeful to reach a deal in the next several weeks.
According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, the deal is in the six-year, $120 million range. When asked if the deal is close, Smith said, “False.”
“Here’s my quote, ‘I was born AT NIGHT, not last night,” Smith texted The Athletic. “I don’t talk about my contract negotiations. Never have. Never will.”
If Smith, 57, gets that contract, it will mark the largest deal for an ESPN on-air personality without it being tied to a licensing deal.
After ESPN signed deals with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pat McAfee that surpassed Smith, he has been open about wanting to be the highest paid employee of the network.
According to The Athletic, Smith is currently making $12 million a year at ESPN — $8 million in salary and $4 million for his production company.
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Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected].