In the post-cable universe—where ratings declines are inevitable, streaming dreams are quixotic, and multiplatform appeal is the coin of the realm—ESPN appears to be pinning its hopes on an enormous investment in live sports rights, an even more enormous investment in new platforms (Flagship, Venu, etcetera), and the anointment of a core group of talent known in Bristol as the needle-movers. There’s Pat McAfee, whom ESPN is paying $17 million per year to license his show. There’s First Take host Stephen A. Smith, who is drying the ink on a deal that will pay him at least $20 million per year. Then there’s Get Up’s Mike Greenberg and SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt, two other talents for which ESPN execs would gladly back up a Brink’s truck, though both Greeny and SVP make far less than Stephen A.’s asking price and what McAfee’s show costs.