Stephen A. Smith Confirms He Wants Shannon Sharpe On ESPN’s First Take…
- Shannon Sharpe left his role in ‘Undisputed’ in June after the NBA Finals
- Stephen A. Smith currently has no permanent co-star in ‘First Take’
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Stephen A. Smith wants a new face on ‘First Take’ – and it’s none other than Shannon Sharpe.
Sharpe left his role in ‘Undisputed’ alongside Skip Bayless in June, after seven years on the Fox Sports show.
Bayless, of course, was Smith’s original “First Take” partner, and the pair became pioneers of the sports debate format from 2012-16.
Sharpe responded to a tweet from Smith on Wednesday by saying, “Whatcha adressing on Fri? I have some free time so feel free 2 FT me b4 my meetings.’
Smith confirmed that on Friday discussions took place about possibly adding Sharpe to the show.
The ESPN show is currently using a rotating cast of ex-athletes and personalities to spar with Smith, including former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick and ex-WFAN host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
Stephen A. Smith Could Welcome Shannon Sharpe As ‘First Take’ Regular Host
Shannon Sharpe got emotional when he made his last appearance on ‘Undisputed’ on FS1
Smith’s revelation comes after the network fired 20 network commentators, including NBA color commentator Jeff Van Gundy, NBA analyst Jalen Rose and NFL host Suzy Kolber in a cost-cutting move.
And Sharpe wouldn’t come cheap for ESPN, as he earned an estimated $3 million a year for his work at Fox Sports, according to Sports front office.
The Hall of Fame tight end cried on his last day with Bayless, thanking his co-worker for “fighting” for him.
“I’m here because of you,” Sharpe told Bayless on his farewell show. “You allowed me to share the stage with you, you allow me to share the stage.
“I’ll never forget what you did for me… All I ask is when you lay your head on your pillow at night, know that I gave you everything I had.”
Though the couple ended on a positive note, their divorce came after some tension between them in recent months.
Most notably, they clashed in January over Bayless’ opinion of the NFL’s handling of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest.
“The NFL is no doubt considering postponing the rest of this game, but how?” Bayless said on Twitter just hours after Hamlin’s collapse on the field at Paycor Stadium. “This late in the season, a game of this magnitude is critical to the outcome of the regular season… which suddenly seems so irrelevant.”
Skip Bayless and Sharpe debated ‘Undisputed’ for seven years
Sharpe was absent from ‘Undisputed’ the following day, saying he wished Bayless had deleted his tweet when he returned to the show.
Bayless also got personal in December when he compared Sharpe who retired at 35 to Tom Brady who played to 45.
‘I did what I did!’ Sharpe responded to Bayless. “You make it look like I was a bum! I’m in the Effin’ Hall of Fame. I’ve got three Super Bowls!”
Bayless didn’t back down and say, “So what?” He’s much better than you were.’
‘Undisputed’ is currently on a two-month hiatus, but will resume in August.
And according to the New York Post, Richard Sherman has emerged as a front-runner to become Skip Bayless’ new debating partner.