If you need proof of the dilapidated state of higher education and their sense of priorities, look no further than this story from the University of Florida.
According to Deadspin, the school paid Stephen A. Smith a healthy sum of $26,500 for one hour of work to speak to students on Wednesday night. Twenty. Six. Thousand. Five. Hundred. Dollars.
Smith presumably lectured students on what it takes to get suspended from a national television show. Or, the alternative version, how to alienate an entire nation by insinuating that women provoke domestic violence and still keep your job.
The Alligator has a brief article about the speaking engagement, that included insights regarding Smith’s on-air persona like this:
“I don’t believe I’m negative,” Smith said. “I believe I’m real.”
Smith apparently also talked about the value of building a brand, even if it’s one as ridiculous as being known as Screamin’ A. Florida would have been better served spending money on bringing in Rush Limbaugh to talk about unity in American politics.
First Take is toxic enough limited to sports. The last thing we need to do is give it increased exposure, especially to impressionable college aged students.
The list of embarrassments that First Take has brought to ESPN through the years is extraordinary. Smith has basically made a national TV career out of “LOUD NOISES” – what an inspiring message to send to the next generation. Then again, this is also the same university paying Will Muschamp $3 million per year, so maybe we shouldn’t be too surprised.
[Deadspin]
