Part 5/6:
The ongoing negotiations between Smith and ESPN raise questions about his future and the overall direction of the network. While Smith's presence has previously been deemed essential, the changing tides of media consumption and personalities seeking value elsewhere, like Shanean Sharp or Pat McAfee, suggest that ESPN may have options to replace Smith if necessary.
At the same time, Smith's aspirations outside of the sports realm—aiming for roles in late-night television and cable news—reveal a clear desire to expand his personal brand. He could feasibly leave the network and still maintain mainstream relevance given his established popularity and strong presence on platforms like YouTube.