Part 3/8:
As ESPN announced the renewal of Stephen A. Smith’s contract for a staggering $100 million over five years, questions arose about financial priorities within sports media. Critics argue this substantial investment leads to a stark paradox—given that Smith garners around 400,000 viewers on average, questioning whether such an investment is sustainable. This apparent disconnect begs the question: is this a reflection of Smith's unique ability to attract an audience, or is it indicative of a larger failing on ESPN's part in fostering new stars?