by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 18, 2023

Shannon Sharpe Joins Stephen A. Smith On ESPN’s ‘First Take’

Starting this fall, two of the most explosive sports analysts will go toe to toe starting this fall. According to the New York Post, coming to ESPN this football season, Shannon Sharpe will be a First Take co-host with Stephen A. Smith on the popular sports show.

Sharpe, the fiery former host of FS1’s Undisputed, will team with Smith on Mondays and Tuesdays for the NFL season, presumably to discuss the weekend and Monday night football games.

This marks a return to the program for Sharpe. Before partnering with Skip Bayless over at FS1, Sharpe was a regular guest (in 2016) on First Take, which helped land him the spot opposite Bayless, who himself was a regular host on First Take before going to FS1.

There is also a rumored landing spot for Sharpe’s wildly popular “Club Shay Shay” podcast.

Sharpe left Undisputed after this year’s NBA Finals in June 2023. No reason was given as to why he left, but fans of the show knew the former NFL champion and Bayless had been at odds in recent months.

On the last show he co-hosted, Sharpe thanked the controversial Bayless for allowing him to share the spotlight in their daily debate.

“You fought for me, brother. I’m here because of you. You allowed me to share the stage with you. You allowed me to share the platform. I’m going to cry in the car, but I’m not going to cry now,” Sharpe told Bayless. “The opportunity that you gave me to become what I became, I’m very indebted to you. I’ll never forget what you did for me. You’ve helped me grow more than you’ll ever know. All I ask is when you lay your head on that pillow at night, know I gave everything I had.”

Sharpe did cry on the show.

Sports fans are excited to watch the two occasionally contentious sportscasters for and against each other in what will no doubt be a lively and quotable show.


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