ESPN broadcaster Stephen A.  Smith is one of the most celebrated sports personalities

Smith earns about $8 million a year under his current contract with ESPN, as the New York Post reported in 2021 

He also has a "$4 million-per-year production" contract 

The Athletic reported that Smith's total compensation is $12 million 

Ahead of Game 1 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies 

He Discussed the absence of black players in the team

"We're still black in this country. We don't always trust this country in terms of merit 

We know the bottom line is that just as women are paid less than their male counterparts 

So are whites. Blacks are paid less than their counterparts," Smith said