As part of a new blockbuster deal that is still being worked out, Stephen A. Smith will reportedly be leaving his show on ESPN Radio so he can take on a larger role on the network’s other platforms.
Smith, 52, and ESPN are in the final stages of a five-year extension which will keep him at the Worldwide Leader into 2025, according to The Big Lead.
Though the deal has not been finalized, Smith, who in the final year of his current contract is expected to earn upwards of $10 million annually
Smith will continue his duties on First Take and will also take on a larger role on SportsCenter, including hosting his own version of the show on Wednesday nights during the NBA season. Incidentally, it has its debut tonight.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! My NBA Show debuts TONIGHT. It’s Time!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/gx6RnEzoqE
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 23, 2019
In other ESPN new, the network is going to be restructuring its long-running investigative series Outside The Lines beginning next month, according to Variety.
The current version of the program, which has aired on weekdays since 2003, is being canceled as of December 20 in favor of an hour-long edition on Saturday mornings.
“Outside the Lines remains the quintessential journalism brand of ESPN and this approach better positions it for deeper dives into important topics during the Saturday edition; daily, in-the-moment perspective of breaking news; and more seamless inclusion into SportsCenter,” said ESPN executive vice president Norby Williamson. “OTL’s team will continue to do what it has always done – create exceptional content, tackle important issues and make a difference in the world of sports. These changes are being made to maximize the impact and resonance of OTL’s journalism with sports fans.”
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