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‘I made him who he is,’ Shaq takes credit for media rise of Stephen A. Smith as First Take star targets $25m contract
A top ESPN executive's comments fueled speculation over his future
SHAQUILLE O'Neal has an interesting take on Stephen A. Smith's contract negotiations with ESPN.
Shaq told the outspoken sportscaster to thank him for being in a position to demand a $25 million salary from the network.
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O'Neal, 52, made the remark in the latest episode of his The Big Podcast, which he co-hosts with TNT Sports colleague Adam Lefkoe.
During a conversation about JJ Redick, Lefkoe said it was "wild" to see Smith, 56, negotiate a deal worth about three times more than the new Los Angeles Lakers head coach's.
"I remember when he signed for $10 million and he was doing a great job," Shaq responded.
"I wish him well and I hope he can make all the money he can make.
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"But he needs to thank me."
Lefkoe asked O'Neal to clarify what role the four-time NBA champion played in Smith's rise.
And Shaq suggested he gave Stephen A. an opportunity to make a name for himself when back when he was covering the Philadelphia 76ers for The Philadelphia Enquirer.
"I made him who he is... when he first came on," the retired center said.
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"Remember, he wasn’t making any money talking about the Sixers.
"Once you started talking crazy about me, and me and you would go back and forth, then you got hot."
Uncertainty over Stephen A. Smith’s future as top ESPN executive says ‘there’s wealth of talented people out there’
"So, you’re welcome, Stephen A."
Smith's current deal with ESPN expires next summer.
The First Take star's salary demands are believed to be $7 million higher than the initial offer he received from the network, prompting questions about the sportscaster's future.
ESPN's president of content Burke Magnus added to the uncertainty with recent comments about the negotiations with Stephen A.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
Magnus said ESPN doesn't have a plan for Smith's potential exit yet but would find an appropriate replacement if necessary.
"Not specifically, but First Take would continue, obviously," the exec said. "We’d figure that out.
"The great part about the environment that we live in … there is a wealth of talented people out there who, if given the chance, I think could also become superstars very easily on our platform.
"The format of First Take I think lends to that.
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"It’s already an ensemble situation in many ways.
"So, I don’t worry about that at all."