‘Red flag’ Stephen A. Smith shunned by ESPN’s MNF crew with fears over his attitude after First Take tensions

STEPHEN A. Smith would not be a welcome addition to Monday Night Football, The U.S. Sun has learned.

First Take star Smith is one of ESPN’s most high-profile stars and looking for a new contract worth in excess of $20 million a year.

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Smith, 56, is a regular on the weekday sports debate show from 10am to 12 noon.

And he also covers NBA games on location for ABC and ESPN.

Smith recently revealed in an interview that he “would love” to be a part of Monday Night Football.

But The U.S. Sun has learned that members of ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew don’t want to see Smith on their coverage.

A source who works on MNF revealed, “Stephen A. Smith said that he is looking to do more NFL and eyeing Monday Night Football, but I think he doesn’t realize that nobody wants him here.

“The guys that cover NFL, the main analysts and specialists absolutely have zero interest on having him working with them.

“He isn’t the guy that they really like, and they think that he isn’t legit to do so, and that he could stick with First Take and basketball.

“Nobody wants him covering football, and many of the top analysts were talking about since he did that interview where Smith said so.

“They were laughing about it, some were saying that ‘there is no way he joins us, he is not one of us football guys and he wants the whole attention and all the spotlights.’

“His reputation of not being a team player is a huge red flag.”

Smith is already part of studio show coverage on NBA, working on shows such as NBA Countdown live from venues such as the Finals.

The source added, “Others said, ‘He is a basketball guy, he has to stick with basketball and has zero credibility as a football analyst’.

“The guys at the crew also talked about it, and none of them wants Stephen A. Smith to join Monday Night Football or any football show.

“They don’t want to work with him, as they know the reputation and the high tense environment that he created at First Take.

Contract standoff

STEPHEN A. Smith rejected ESPN's most recent contract offer.

The First Take star, 56, revealed that he has conditions to have his services secured at the network.

Smith appeared at Front Office Sports’ Tuned In Summit in New York.

The fiery personality took part in an on-stage interview with the outlet’s reporter Michael McCarthy, who asked him for an update on contract negotiations with ESPN.

“Not a word,” Stephen A. said.

“They’ve made an offer. I countered. And that’s where we’ve left it… They have their vision, and I have mine.”

“The workers talk to each other, they absolutely dislike him and don’t wan’t to deal with him.”

Smith currently makes $12 million a year after signing a five-year deal in 2019.

ESPN has signed big names since then such as Pat McAfee and Peyton Manning.

Smith wants a new contract to reflect his value to the network, and to be a part of MNF.

He recently told Front Office Sports , “I don’t want to insult the legacy of the great Howard Cosell, who’s somebody that I idolized. But that’s what I want to do.

“When I think about the NFL, I’m not talking about being in the booth with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. You don’t mess with that chemistry; you leave that alone.

“But I’m unapologetic about what I want. I would love to be a part of Monday Night Football.

“I would love to work with [Monday Night Countdown’s new cast including] Jason Kelce and Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Clark and my man Marcus Spears.

“I mean, two of those guys are on First Take every week.”

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