NBA question analyst salary compared to Wembley
Kyrie Irving called out Stephen A. Smith’s $25 million ESPN contract during a Twitch stream, arguing sports analysts deserve the same public criticism as NBA players when they underperform. He challenged the double standard in media coverage of athlete salaries and value. Kyrie Irving has never been shy about speaking his mind, and now that he’s active on Twitch while rehabbing a torn ACL, he’s using the platform to dive deeper into basketball debates and challenge the sports media status quo.
Recently, Irving took aim at the way sports analysts critique NBA players’ salaries, calling out what he sees as a double standard. His example? ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith. “I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract, and I’m going to say he’s not worth it,” Kyrie said bluntly on stream. “Obviously, Stephen A., this is for an [example],” he clarified, making clear it wasn’t a personal attack—just a point about fairness.
For years, players have been criticized by fans and pundits alike for failing to live up to big contracts. Washington’s Bradley Beal has become the face of this conversation, earning over $53 million this season while averaging just 17 points per game. But as Irving noted, fans tend to follow the lead of major media personalities.
“Sheep will follow the shepherd,” he remarked, arguing that if analysts want to publicly scrutinize players’ performance versus pay, their own earnings should also be fair game. Smith, arguably the most recognizable name in sports broadcasting, recently signed a five-year, $25 million contract with ESPN. That’s more annually than Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs’ rising star, who’s making $13.7 million.
“Does Smith deserve to earn more than Wemby?” Kyrie asked rhetorically—highlighting the strange optics of a broadcaster out-earning a generational basketball talent. Irving’s main point was about accountability. If players are criticized for not delivering on their contracts, analysts should also face scrutiny when they offer poor takes or get things wrong something fans have often accused Smith of.
In a new era where athletes have their own platforms and can speak directly to fans, the traditional role of sports analysts is being questioned. Irving’s take may be bold, but he’s far from alone in thinking it’s time to challenge the narrative.