Smith will continue his "First Take" duties and host his own edition of "SportsCenter" on WednesdaysESPN IMAGES
Stephen A. Smith will "leave his ESPN Radio show next year as part of a new contract that is being negotiated," according to sources cited by Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. The Big Lead first reported Smith and ESPN are in the "final stages of a five-year extension." Smith will "continue with 'First Take' while adding more appointment viewing opportunities on 'SportsCenter.'" ESPN earlier announced that Smith will "host his own edition" of "SportsCenter" at 7:00pm ET on Wednesdays before NBA games. Sources said that ESPN also is "trying to figure out a way to utilize Smith" on ESPN+ (N.Y. POST, 10/23).
CHANGES COMING? On Long Island, Neil Best noted it appears WFAN is "preparing to transition" to a post-Mike Francesa era, "at least when it comes to the traditional afternoon drive-time role." There has been "no announcement" about when Francesa will leave that job, but the "smart money now is on him giving up his current role sometime after the end of the autumn ratings period on Dec. 4." The assumption is that the morning team of Boomer Esiason and Gregg Giannotti "will remain in place." Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno are "believed to be under contract" through '20, and Maggie Gray had an option for '20 "picked up by Entercom, so all three will be part of the mix in some form at WFAN or the broader company." If Francesa does depart, that leaves Bart Scott as a "wild card." His contract is up, and he has "told friends he has an interest in returning to TV work, at least some of the time" (NEWSDAY, 10/22).
