Shannon Sharpe has talked to ESPN about becoming a high-profile “contributor,” Front Office Sports has learned.
The contributor’s role would enable the former co-host of FS1’s “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” to join the rotating cast of stars debating Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s top-rated “First Take.”
They include contributors Michael Irvin of NFL Network (if his legal issues are cleared) and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of Sirius XM as well as ESPN’s own Ryan Clark.
At the same time, the arrangement would enable the free agent Sharpe to continue his weekly “Club Shay Shay” podcast, which now boasts 1.23 million subscribers, and potentially score a lucrative gig with sports betting operator FanDuel, which allows talent to work with other companies on a non-exclusive basis.
But the Sharpe-ESPN deal is not finalized, cautioned sources. The three-time Super Bowl champion has talked to several potential employers since leaving FS1.
Over the last week, Sharpe and his representatives have had a series of meetings with suitors, one source said. He’s expected to make a move in August before kickoff of the 2023 NFL season.
Still, Sharpe to ESPN makes sense.
In a tweet on June 19, Sharpe teased a return to morning TV “soon.” What better place to make his comeback than “First Take,” which nearly tripled the audience of rival “Undisputed” in June (with 421,000 viewers to 154,000)?
Smith has publicly lobbied for Sharpe to join him and Molly Qerim on the “First Take” desk. But he later clarified Sharpe would be “part of the family;” not a full-time co-host like Max Kellerman, who was recently laid off.
“I’m not looking for an everyday person on ‘First Take.’ So for all of you clamoring for that, get over it…I like the potpourri of contributors,” Smith said. New ESPN hire Pat McAfee has also publicly urged Sharpe to join ESPN.
With Irvin still sidelined from “First Take” due to his legal issues, Sharpe could slide into the role of NFL legend filled by “The Playmaker” last season.
That way, “First Take” could promote a designated weekday for “Smith vs. Sharpe” debates during the NFL season.
As a part-timer, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro would also not have to dish out a big salary to Sharpe that would raise eyebrows after the painful recent round of layoffs.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer could also make guest appearances on the “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday NFL Countdown” and “NFL Live,” said sources.
The 55-year old Sharpe teaming with Smith against his old partner Bayless would be an act of career revenge worthy of the Count of Monte Cristo. But that’s what happens in sports TV where the salaries are big and the egos are even bigger.
After nearly seven successful years together, the duo split in June after a buyout deal was reached between Sharpe and FS1. But their relationship had fallen to an “all-time low” by late 2022, said sources.
The nadir came in January when Bayless rudely interrupted Sharpe while his partner was trying to address the Damar Hamlin controversy. At the time, Sharpe was still peeved over Bayless taking “personal shots” at him to defend his pet quarterback Tom Brady.
Sharpe had also come to the belated realization that he would never be treated as Bayless’ equal — either in salary or show direction — by FS1 management.
When Sharpe tried to address Bayless’s radioactive Hamlin tweet, Bayless interrupted him within 45 seconds.
“I stand by what I tweeted,” declared Bayless.
Sharpe was fit to be tied.
“You can’t even let me finish my opening monologue without you interrupting,” he told Bayless.
(A Barstool Sports video of their argument has been viewed 11.3 million times and counting).
While the former “Undisputed” partners later professed respect for each other, that was more optics than anything, said sources.
Bayless interrupting Sharpe was the “last straw,” said one source.
“The marriage was toast from that point on.”
Meanwhile, Bayless and the team at FS1 have struggled to find a successor to Sharpe. As a result, “Undisputed” is on a six-week long hiatus until returning before the NFL season on Aug. 28.
Like Smith and ESPN, Bayless’ producers could choose to have him debate a rotating array of guests rather than one full-time co-host.
This could be a smart strategy for Bayless, the acknowledged Godfather of sports debate.
The 71-year-old former sportswriter could effectively stage a rolling series of auditions — while keeping iron-fisted control over the show.
Former FS1 personality Marcellus Wiley has been predicting exactly that outcome for months.
You could argue Bayless greatly helped both Smith and Sharpe’s careers.
It was Bayless back in 2012, who handpicked Smith to be new full-time debate partner on “First Take.” The show’s TV ratings exploded, with “First Take” moving up to the flagship ESPN channel from ESPN2. Smith has always credited Bayless with saving his career.
Then in 2016, Bayless and FS1 executive Jamie Horowitz picked Sharpe for the debut of “Undisputed.” The national TV stage has only boosted Sharpe’s influence and popularity.
ESPN declined to comment for this story. Sharpe could not be reached.
Update: While on vacation, Smith tweeted he will address the Sharpe situation on his podcast Friday and “First Take” on Monday morning.
A few hours later, Sharpe tweeted back at Smith. “Whatcha addressing on Fri? I’ve got some free time so feel free 2 FT me b4 my meetings.”
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