Stephen A. Smith welcomes Shannon Sharpe to ESPN’s First Take by teasing the former FS1 analyst ahead of the Sept. 4 start: “You’re not used to being beaten”
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith made a highly anticipated announcement on “First Take” this morning as he officially confirmed Shannon Sharpe’s addition to the show.
News recently came out that Sharpe was planning to join First Take following his highly publicized split with Fox and Skip Bayless, along with the fact that he planned to join First Take before the start of the NFL season on September 7. to appear.
‘Mr. Shannon Sharpe will join the crew,” Smith said Thursday. “He’s going to compete in First Take. It is official. Shannon Sharpe is coming to First Take, debuting Monday, September 4. He will be here every Monday and Tuesday with the undersigned.’
“It’s official, I just learned 60 seconds ago, literally 60 seconds ago,” Smith added. “It’s official: Shannon Sharpe is coming to First Take and he debuts on September 4.”
Following the announcement, fans on social media began making mockups of Smith and Sharpe’s heads in the famous back alley shot between LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
Stephen A Smith Announced Shannon Sharpe Will Officially Join ESPN’s ‘First Take’
Sharpe has become one of the most popular sports personalities on TV in his post-NFL career
Sharpe previously spent seven years playing Skip Bayless on Fox Sports’ “Undisputed” show
ESPN also announced the move Thursday morning in a press release.
First Take is the year-round destination for morning sports debates, and with Shannon joining the signature show’s fall guest lineup, opposite Stephen A. and Molly, fans will have even more to look forward to. to this NFL and college football season,” ESPN’s head of events and studio production said in the release.
Sharpe was also quoted in the press release as saying, “I’m excited to announce this fall that I’m taking my on air talents to ESPN’s First Take and debating with my friend Stephen A. Smith.” We are both HBCU graduates, very quirky and animated. GET YOUR POPCORN READY.”
Smith also took a moment during his broadcast to say something to his future co-host.
“My condolences in advance,” Smith warned Sharpe before joining First Take. “You’re not used to being beaten. He is the modern Black Hulk. He’s not used to being beaten up. Welcome to defeat, it is coming.’
Sharpe will also team up with Colin Cowherd and bring his podcast ‘Club Shay Shay’ to The Volume.
Meanwhile, Bayless recently announced Keyshawn Johnson as the latest addition to “Undisputed” — despite multiple reports claiming the former NFL wide receiver is still under contract with ESPN.
Johnson was previously announced as part of the long list of high-profile talent laid off as part of ESPN’s massive budget cuts, but this was first reported by the New York Post that he has a contract with the network.
And as expected, the structuring of Johnson’s media contract prohibits him from working with any other network unless some form of buyout agreement is reached.
Prior to the announcement of his firing, the former Jets and Buccaneers star was only in the second year of a five-year contract worth approximately $18 million.
Along with Johnson — assuming he eventually gets fired from his ESPN deal — are several other household names, including disgraced ESPN contributor Rachel Nichols, NFL legend Michal Irvin, Amazon Prime’s Richard Sherman, and rap legend Lil Wayne. tipped to join Bayless. show.