Stephen A. Smith has paid tribute to Skip Bayless, insisting that he would never have signed his new ESPN agreement of $ 100 million without the help and support of his former combat partner.
Last week it arose that the television personality, which houses 'Take First Take' and works as an NBA analyst, Podcast and guest of the interview program, agreed a five -year contract that will pay an average of $ 20 million a year.
Smith, who said he previously earned around $ 12 million annually, has become one of the most prominent sports experts in the United States.
The former personality of ESPN and Fox Sports Bayless, who spent years in 'First shot', said Smith has the 'greatest GAB gift on television' he has seen.
However, there was a time when the 57 -year -old man was struggling to make his voice heard.
Smith has been in 'First Toma' for more than a decade and on Monday he revealed that it was Bayless who pressed to appear, racing the way for his arguments in the air between 2012 and 2016.
Stephen A. Smith paid tribute to Skip Bayless after signing its new ESPN agreement of $ 100 million
Years passed in the “first shot” of ESPN after Bayless pressed for Smith to be on the air
“Very few people on planet Earth know my story better than you,” Smith said during a meeting show with Bayless.
'He started with you. With you and Jamie Horowitz, my former boss at the beginning, pressing to be in the first shot. Be limited to an appearance per week to start.
'Even (then) you had battles just to take me to the air. And then, ultimately, insisting on having me five days a week. There is no way on the earth that happens without you. Without Jamie Horowitz. Then start there.
During a long career of sports media, Smith has worked in newspapers, radio and television.
“But we all know, to be in the position I am today, to sign the type of contract I signed today, it does not happen if it were not for the first shot and the first shot never happens if it were not for Skip Bayless and Jamie Horowitz.
'So I am always grateful and always humble because there is good luck that comes with something like that. Have people to see your talent, worry and, where appropriate. Because trust is really, very, very big with you, 'Smith continued.
'The fact that you knew that it was going to be someone who would bring the same energy, fervor, but the most important thing was that you knew they were not going to try to undermine as they did. You always emphasized that and I took that for the rest of my career. So I thank my brother, I really do it.