data-mm-id=”_kz7a7gafv”>Stephen A. Smith already has the biggest presence on ESPN and is seeking a contract extension to match it with a potential $100 million deal. If Smith remains with the "worldwide leader," he will want an even larger role on the network among its most cherished broadcast rights.Smith told Front Office Sports' Michael McCarthy that he wants to follow in the footsteps of his idol Howard Cosell and be a part of "Monday Night Football."Smith clarified that he doesn't want ESPN to switch to a three-person MNF booth with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to accommodate his wishes. "You don’t mess with that chemistry. You leave that alone. But I’m unapologetic about what I want," Smith said.The MNF pregame show is where Smith wants to be included."I would love to be a part of 'Monday Night Football,'" Smith said. "I would love to work with [the new cast of 'Monday Night Countdown' that includes] 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."Smith actually would be a good fit on "Countdown" if ESPN execs are looking to inject energy in the show. He could shake things up in the same way Pat McAfee has spiced up "College GameDay."There's always the concern of over-exposure for Smith, who discusses the NFL regularly on ESPN's signature talk show, "First Take," and is a fixture on the network's NBA coverage. However, if ESPN is going to pay him more than McAfee's $85 million contract, the company will probably want to get its money's worth.Not surprisingly, Smith believes he can handle the heavier workload. And he's confident he can make a splash with his often controversial views.“Of course, I believe that I can do it,” Smith said. "When you think about Howard Cosell and what he meant to the business, do I believe I have the potential to mean nearly as much? Yes, I do. So that’s my opinion. It doesn’t mean that opinion is shared by others. We’ll find out …"
Related Posts
Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm is keen on remaining with the club when his playing career ends.
Lahm, who retired from international football after he lifted the 2014 World Cup with Germany, intends to quit when his current Bayern deal expires in 2018.
As a product of the Bayern youth system, Lahm is keen to become the latest playing icon to take on a role behind the scenes at the Allianz Arena when he hangs up his boots, following talks with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Last week was the first time I discussed the subject with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, he told Suddeutsche Zeitung.
I ve always said that I would like to stay with FC Bayern.
Bayern are without a sporting director at present after Matthias Sammer stood down in July, while Lahm…
Diego Simeone refused to suggest Atletico Madrid are favourites for Tuesday s Champions League clash with Galatasaray but promised his will approach the game with aggression.
The 2014 finalists will be heavily fancied to progress from Group C, ahead of further games with Astana and Benfica, having also reached the quarter-finals of the competition last season.
Atleti La Liga champions as recently as the 2013-14 campaign make the often difficult trip to the Turk Telekom Arena, with Simeone warning of the threat Gala will pose.
We couldn t describe ourselves as favourites, he said on Monday.
A team s quality and momentum are the decisive factors in the Champions League. It is a very important and difficult competition.
At this level it is hard to…
Borussia Monchengladbach have parted company with head coach Andre Schubert after a dismal run of one win in 11 games in all competitions.
Tuesday s 2-1 defeat at home to Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga was the final straw for Schubert as the club look to revitalise their fortunes after the mid-season break.
After replacing Lucien Favre in September 2015, Schubert was confirmed as Monchengladbach s permanent head coach in November and helped lead them to the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish in the league.
Their fortunes this season have been in stark contrast, though, with the club teetering above the relegation zone in the Bundesliga and knocked out of the group stages of Europe s elite club competition.
Goals from Daniel Caligiuri and Mario Go…
Market: Switzerland win
Odds:
Switzerland and Sweden head into their round of 16 clash knowing that they both have a golden chance to reach a World Cup final.
For Janne Andersson Sweden side, although few expected The Yellows to make much of a statement in Group F, The Sweds secured a 3-0 win in their final group matchup against Mexico that catapulted them to top of the group, ahead of the likes of Germany and Mexico. However, while The Yellows will fancy their chances of causing a seismic upset this summer, The Swedes have never won back-to-back World Cup games (excluding penalty shoot-outs) outside of their own country and we believe they will struggle when up against a Switzerland side enjoying a fine run of form.
As for Switzerland, although the…
Bundesliga side Hamburger SV have sent midfielder Mickael Tavares and defender Alex Silva out on loan. Tavares, 27, has joined Nuremberg on loan till the end of the season while Silva will be in Brazil with Sao Paulo for the next eighteen months ( till June 2011)
Both Tavares and Silva have struggled to feature regularly for HSV this season and coach Bruno Labbadia said that it was important for the duo to get playing time under their belt.
Tavares joined HSV from Czech giants Slavia Prague last January. Alex, the younger brother of Benfica centre half Luisao, played for Vitoria, Rennes and Sao Paulo before joining HSV in 2008.
HSV remain in the hunt for the Bundesliga title at this stage of the season. They are currently five points behind leaders Bayern Muni…
Korea Republic are the second quarter finalists at the 2009 World Youth Championship following a 3-0 win over Paraguay. All goals were scored in the second half.
The score at Cairo s International Stadium was opened through Bo-Kyung Kim in the 55th minute, and Min-Woo Kim added a second five minutes later.
Things got even worse for Paraguay when they had midfielder Rodrigo Burgos sent off with a second yellow card in minute 61, and Min-Woo Kim went on to net a third goal nine minutes later.
The Asians play their quarter final on Saturday, against the winner of the match between Ghana ans South Africa.
…
Luis Enrique is hoping for a tighter defensive performance from Barcelona during the Champions League Group E trip to BATE.
Having suffered two La Liga defeats in their previous three outings, the Spanish champions got their title defence back on track with a 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou on Saturday.
Brazil captain Neymar dazzled with four goals but his heroics came after the visitors went ahead through Javi Guerra.
Barca began the Liga campaign with back-to-back 1-0 wins over Athletic Bilbao and Malaga but they have conceded in each of their eight games across all competitions since the latter of those two victories on August 29.
We re going to keep working on our defence, Luis Enrique told reporters.
To win titles, you have t…
Lyon have announced that Memphis Depay will be presented as a new player on Friday following the completion of his transfer from Manchester United.
The Netherlands international has agreed to join the Ligue 1 outfit after a transfer fee that could reportedly rise to as much as €25million was accepted by United.
Memphis Depay will be officially presented at 14:45 [local time], Lyon said in a statement. The new Lyon player will be accompanied by president Jean-Michel Aulas and coach Bruno Genesio.
The 22-year-old, who took to Twitter to thank United fans and captain Wayne Rooney for their support during his time in the Premier League, has signed a contract that includes a buy-back option for Jose Mourinho s side.
It is easier for me, and he deserves me…
Soccer is a popular sport globally and is also one of the most bet-on sports.
As it continues growing in popularity in North America, people are beginning to wonder what the betting lines mean. This comprehensive guide will help you understand them better.
Betting Lines
Before understanding soccer betting lines on , you need to make sure you understand the sport itself.
It’s a game played over 90 minutes, with two halves of 45 minutes each. It is low scoring and does not always involve a winner. A draw is an acceptable result, except in the case of knockout games.
Most soccer games would also have stoppage time added at the end if there have been injuries or other incidents that stopped play. Some knockout games even go into a penal…
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is delighted his players have finally been able to show some of their best form before the end of the season.
An inconsistent campaign has left the Reds with only an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League and only a run of six successive victories – their best sequence in over a year – has put them in that position.
“We play a really bad season, I think everyone in this room agrees, and now we have 62 points. It is strange,” said Klopp ahead of Monday’s trip to Leicester.
“There is still quality in the boys. I am really happy we could show up a little bit. Where it will end up it’s really not about that.
What. A. Weekend.
— Premier League (@premierleague)
“I know everyone wa…