Stephen A. Smith signed one of the biggest media deals in sports history. But it’s not his five-year, $100 million ESPN contract making headlines. It’s what Kyrie Irving said about whether Smith deserves all that money. And the timing? Perfect, considering Smith just spent weeks defending Irving’s contract negotiations.
What Did Kyrie Irving Say About Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN Extension?
During a recent livestream, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving caused a stir online after he claimed that Smith didn’t deserve that much money.
“I’m going to discuss his contract,” said Irving during the live stream. “I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract and I’mma say, I don’t think he’s worth it.”
However, Irving quickly clarified his stance before things could spiral into a full-blown feud. According to Irving, his comment was less about Smith specifically and more about using him as a broader example in a conversation about how media figures are compensated.
“Now that may be controversial. Obviously, Stephen A., this is just for [an example]. Somebody might try to clip it up, watch the whole clip,” added Irving.
Kyrie literally said “someone might try and clip it up, watch the whole thing” and it happened 😭 pic.twitter.com/BXvD9CfVj8
— Kyrie Center (@kyriecenterig) July 12, 2025
Irving’s attempt to clarify his stance didn’t stop the clip from going viral exactly as he predicted. But the real story isn’t just what he said about Smith’s contract; it’s the timing of when he said it.
How Does This Connect to Irving’s Own Contract Situation?
The timing of Irving’s comments adds another layer to this story. His remarks come just days after he inked a $119 million contract extension with the Mavericks, a three-year deal that kept him off the free agency market after weeks of speculation.
What makes this even more interesting is that Smith himself was one of the most vocal critics of Irving’s negotiations. The ESPN host claimed on “First Take” that Dallas had “low-balled” the All-Star guard with the extension.
“Kyrie Irving got low-balled,” Smith said. “I think he deserves more. It’s Kyrie Irving we’re talking about here. In today’s economy, where you got Cavs getting paid $55, $60 million plus, you couldn’t give this guy at least $43 to $45 million a year?”
Smith’s frustration was evident as he compared Irving’s deal to other star contracts around the league. The ESPN host doubled his position, breaking down the math behind his argument.
“Remember, he was supposed to be getting a player option that would have given him $43 million,” Smith continued. “So, to me, at $119 million, that is a fraction less than $40 million per. Kyrie Irving deserves more than that.”
“I think Kyrie Irving got low-balled.”
—@stephenasmith on Kyrie Irving’s new deal with the Mavs pic.twitter.com/sMY5kvuihe
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 25, 2025
So here’s the situation: Smith defended Irving’s value and argued he deserved more money. Now Irving is questioning whether Smith deserves his massive ESPN payday. The irony isn’t lost on anyone.
Irving’s journey to the Mavericks began in early 2023, when the Brooklyn Nets traded him to Dallas. The Mavericks acquired Irving along with Markieff Morris and sent back Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, and two second-rounders in 2027 and 2029.
In the 2024-25 season, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in March. The injury ended his season prematurely, and he is expected to return in January 2026.
“Kyrie Irving is targeting potentially sometime in January to make his return,” said ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Without Irving, the Mavericks struggled to find consistency and finished the 2024-25 season with a 39-43 record. They qualified for the Play-In Tournament but fell short of the playoffs after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in the second play-in game.
Meanwhile, Smith continues to dominate headlines. Before the 2025 NBA postseason even tipped off, he was already making news for reigniting his public spat with LeBron James and signing his massive new contract with ESPN, reportedly worth at least $100 million over five years, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
