ESPN is accused of doing everything it can to please First Take host Stephen A. Smith amid alleged discord between production staff and TV talent.
The latest report of the arrival of former NFL defensive back and NFL Network host Jason McCourty is seen as a concession to Smith, the American sun.
“I mean, that’s another strange move, something that gives Stephen A Smith’s sphere of influence even more power,” a source at First Take told the Sun of the presenter who has become indispensable to the show’s daytime and primetime evening programming.
“I got a lot of texts saying, ‘WTF?’ or ‘Here we go, another man in the court of ‘King’ Stephen A. Smith,’” the source added.
McCourty’s addition was compared to that of Shannon Sharpe, the retired Denver Broncos tight end who left Fox Sports a year earlier for ESPN’s First Take. Like McCourty, Sharpe is seen as close to Smith.
ESPN is accused of doing everything it can to please First Take host Stephen A. Smith
Former NFL defensive back Jason McCourty leaves NFL Network for ESPN’s First Take
“We already have Shannon Sharpe as his right-hand man, and now we have another one to add to his ‘favourites on the pitch’,” the source told The Sun.
“This is turning into a ‘Stephen A. Smith’ friends club, which is not good.
“It gives him more power and space to do and say what he wants, and to behave the way he wants.”
ESPN spokespeople did not respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment late Monday night.
McCourty is expected to appear twice a week on First Take, The Athletic reported. The 37-year-old former Miami Dolphins star will continue in his full-time role with CBS Sports.
ESPN has so far declined to comment on McCourty’s alleged move to World Wide Leader, but he did discuss it with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina.
The report comes at an odd time for the cable giant.
ESPN has been cutting back on its on-air talent in recent years, most recently firing co-hosts Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III in what a source told DailyMail.com was a budgetary decision at the end of the fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the network is rumored to be negotiating a historic contract with Smith and possibly Sharpe. Front Office Sports reported in June that the First Take co-host and NBA analyst could earn as much as $20 million annually. Then on Saturday, the sun announced that Smith is demanding $25 million a year.
McCourty’s arrival was compared to that of former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe
Currently, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman tops ESPN’s salary rankings with a reported $18 million per year. Smith, meanwhile, reportedly makes $12 million per year.
According to the Sun, it is Smith and Sharpe’s demands that have angered their colleagues.
‘Many colleagues are not happy with the way [Stephen A.] “He’s been acting quite badly lately, pushing things for himself and Sharpe,” an insider told the Sun.
‘…and they both try to get the maximum deal and the maximum money they can get, without regard for the rest of the team and crew.
‘Other journalists and team members are really angry with him and Sharpe because they feel like it’s a ‘two-man band’ against the world, while the other people on the team are just there to do whatever they want.’
Interestingly, Smith was absent from part of Monday’s broadcast due to technical difficulties.
“I apologize to the audience for the technical difficulties,” a frustrated Smith told the crowd as he appeared via satellite. “We’re going to make that right. We’re not going to tolerate this much longer.”