Show me the money! Stephen A. Smith on track to become ESPN’s highest-paid on-air personality
Stephan A. Smith is poised to become the highest-paid on-air person at ESPN.
Stephen A. Smith’s gift of gab has him on track to becoming the highest-paid on-air talent in ESPN history.
Stephen A. Smith’s gift of gab has him on track to becoming the highest-paid on-air talent in ESPN history, according to the NY Post.
According to NY Post’s Andrew Marchand, Smith, an ESPN analyst who reportedly now makes $5 million, might see an uptick in his salary “in the $8 million-to-$10 million range.”
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Right now, Mike Greenberg reigns as ESPN’s highest-paid personality, earning a reported $6.5 million per year.
Smith ESPN’s First Take contract will reportedly expire in 2021. He has been a fan favorite and controversial, and outspoken figure for the last seven years.
Lonzo Ball sues former business partner
Speaking of big personalities, LaVar Ball, the father of Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball is quite an outspoken figure. This time Ball might have gotten his son in some hot water when he let his close friend Alan Foster in on a business partnership that ended up turning into an alleged embezzlement scheme.
Now Lonzo is suing his dad’s former friend Foster, who was a former co-founder and manager of his Big Baller Brand.
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On Tuesday, Ball filed court docs in Los Angeles Superior Court, obtained by ESPN alleging that Foster “conspired to embezzle millions of dollars and then divert those funds for his personal use, including to acquire assets in Ethiopia.”
Lonzo Ball is suing for $2 million plus interest.
According to the lawsuit, Ball claims that “shortly after his release from prison, Foster embarked on his plan to target Ball and his family” and then “fleeced them of millions of dollars” by “creating a variety of corporate entities in which he gave himself ownership interests and managerial control.”
Said LaVar about the financial mess: “I’ve always believed in the best in people. Regretfully, I put my complete trust in Alan Foster to manage my son’s business affairs,” LaVar said in a statement to ESPN. “At the end of the day, family comes first, and I support Zo wholeheartedly. Together, we will make this right.”
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