‘Red Flag’ Stephen A. Smith is shunned by ESPN’s MNF team amid concerns about his stance following tensions at First Take

As the US Sun has learned, STEPHEN A. Smith would not be a welcome addition to Monday Night Football.

“First Take” star Smith is one of ESPN’s most recognizable stars and is looking for a new contract worth over $20 million a year.

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Smith, 56, is a regular guest on the sports debate show from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

He also reports on NBA games for ABC and ESPN.

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

But The US Sun has learned that members of ESPN’s Monday Night Football team do not want Smith in their coverage.

A source working at MNF revealed: “Stephen A. Smith said he wants to do more for the NFL and has his eye on Monday Night Football, but I don’t think he realizes nobody wants him here.

“The people who cover the NFL, the top analysts and specialists, have absolutely no interest in him working with them.

“He’s not the guy they really like, and they think he doesn’t have the right to do this and that he could stay at First Take and basketball.

“Nobody wants him to cover football, and a lot of the top analysts have talked about it since he did the interview where Smith said that.

“They laughed about it, some said: ‘There’s no way he’s coming to us, he’s not one of us footballers and he wants all the attention and the limelight.’

“His reputation for not being a team player is a big warning sign.”

Smith is already involved in studio coverage of the NBA and works on live broadcasts such as the NBA Countdown from locations such as the Finals.

The source added: “Others said, ‘He’s a basketball guy, he needs to stick to basketball and has no credibility as a football commentator.’

“The guys on the team have talked about it, and none of them want Stephen A. Smith to be on Monday Night Football or any other football show.

“They don’t want to work with him because they know his reputation and the tense atmosphere he created at First Take.

Contractual dispute

STEPHEN A. Smith has turned down ESPN’s latest contract offer.

The 56-year-old star of “First Take” announced that he was signing on conditions to secure his services at the broadcaster.

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

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

“Not a word,” said Stephen A.

“They made an offer. I countered. And we left it at that… They have their vision and I have mine.”

“The workers are talking among themselves, they don’t like him at all and don’t want to have anything to do with him.”

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

ESPN has since signed big names like Pat McAfee and Peyton Manning.

Smith wants a new contract that reflects his value to the network and wants 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 I idolize. But that’s exactly what I want to do.”

“When I think of the NFL, I don’t think of sitting in the locker room with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. You can’t play with that chemistry, you leave it alone.

“But I’m uncompromising about what I want. I would love to be on Monday Night Football.”

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

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

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