When Stephen A. Smith went on a 3-minute monologue on Joe Rogan's $250 million worth deal: "What the hell do you think I'm doing this for?"
Stephen A. Smith once gave a monologue regarding Joe Rogan's mammoth multi-million-dollar deal that set the combat sports and broader pop culture realms abuzz. He notably weighed in on whether or not Rogan deserved the massive payout.
Rogan reportedly signed a $100 million deal with Spotify in 2020 and a $250 million deal with them in 2024, for the broadcast rights of his world-renowned JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) podcast.
On his podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, in February 2024, Smith - a prominent American media personality and ESPN analyst - addressed Rogan's 2024 Spotify agreement. He stated:
"Competition makes the world go round but so does someone who sets a high standard. Joe Rogan has about damn near 20 million subscribers. Joe Rogan deserves every penny of that deal."
Smith also cited names like Pat McAfee and Shannon Sharpe, who've similarly achieved significant podcasting success. He indicated that Rogan had led the way, alluding to how JRE has long been viewed as one of the top podcasts.
Additionally, Smith implied that his own social media content, apart from his ESPN job, was to help him achieve similar success as Rogan did, saying:
"When you bet on yourself and you come out shining, that's not to be hated upon. It's to be revered, if not, respected at the very least. I got a great, great day job. What the hell do you think I'm doing this for? It ain't just because of independence. It ain't just because I want to run my own shop."
"It ain't just because I wanted to venture out into this world and extend myself beyond the corridors and the restrictive lines of linear television. It's to also win, so I can profit like that. That's business. It's the American way. Bet on yourself. Take a chance. Embrace the risk. Adapt, adjust, succeed, conquer, and then flourish."
Moreover, Smith explained that one mustn't hate but appreciate Rogan, whom he thanked. He cited the latter's hard work and diverse revenue streams, including UFC commentary, stand-up comedy tours, and the JRE podcast. Smith underscored that Spotify was fortunate to acquire Rogan's partnership at a good price, as he deserved more.
Watch Smith's monologue below:
Joe Rogan on Stephen A. Smith's polarizing approach to sports broadcasting
Joe Rogan and Stephen A. Smith have disagreed in the past, most notably after Smith criticized Donald Cerrone in the latter's first-round TKO defeat against Conor McGregor in January 2020.
On the JRE MMA Show that month, Rogan hosted ex-UFC lightweight Josh Thomson, and the duo jested about Smith's infamous mitt work video.
They also speculated whether the longtime sports broadcaster was presenting an over-the-top version of himself as a shtick to be more entertaining. Rogan opined that Smith's polarizing takes, some of which are deemed to be highly critical of athletes, garnered him tremendous success. He said:
"There's a lot of currency in being a Stephen A. Smith. He's really entertaining. That sh** talking that he does, he's a guy that's fun to watch. He talks a lot of sh**. He gets real loud. And everybody disagrees with him. And look, it's made him a fantastic career that's why. And he carries that over to MMA; I think it's a bad idea."
Watch Rogan's assessment of Smith below (4:22):