ESPN is backing up the Brinks truck for Stephen A. Smith. Also: an extension for ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio; a new studio host for TNT’s Tuesday NBA games; a return to TV for Mark Richt.
Smith to make $8 million/year in new deal, says NYP
ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith will make $8 million per year in his new contract with the network, the New York Post reported Thursday, making him the company’s highest-paid talent. Mike Greenberg was previously the highest paid, with an annual salary of $6.5 million.
It should be noted that author Jim Miller, who wrote the ESPN book Those Guys Have All the Fun, indicated that the $8 million figure is “way…way…under” and that Smith’s salary will actually exceed $10 million.
Smith is in his second stint with ESPN, having rejoined the company in 2011. [NYP 11.7, Jim Miller/Twitter 11.7]
ESPN extends Paolantonio
ESPN announced Friday that it has reached a multi-year contract extension with NFL reporter Sal Paolantonio. The news was first reported by the New York Post, which says it is a three-year deal.
As part of the agreement, Paolantonio will debut as an NFL analyst for select games on ESPN Radio, including Jets-Giants this Sunday. He is entering his 25th year with ESPN. [ESPN PR 11.8, NYP 11.8]
TNT taps Bleacher Report host for Tuesday NBA studio
Turner Sports announced Thursday that Bleacher Report host Adam Lefkoe will serve in the same capacity on TNT’s Tuesday night NBA studio shows. Lefkoe, who has been with Bleacher Report since 2013, will work alongside analysts Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker and Shaquille O’Neal.
In selecting Lefkoe for the role, Turner evidently passed on Casey Stern, who has been the network’s secondary NBA studio host in recent years. [Turner Sports]
Richt back this weekend after heart attack
ACC Network college football analyst Mark Richt, who had a heart attack last month, is returning to the network this weekend. The former Miami and Georgia coach missed two weeks. [ESPN PR 11.7]
