• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 4, 2025

Stephen A., Shannon Sharpe Officially Team Up in New-Look ‘First Take’

  • Shannon Sharpe will join ESPN’s ‘First Take’ as of Sept. 4.
  • Sharpe split with ex-partner Skip Bayless in June.
A side view of Shannon Sharpe during an on-site taping of "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed."
Fox Sports

Shannon Sharpe knows how to make an entrance.

On Thursday morning, Skip Bayless’ former sparring partner confirmed he’s joining rival Stephen A. Smith with a tweet depicting him dunking in an ESPN jersey.

Smith confirmed Sharpe’s hiring was “official” at the top of Thursday’s “First Take” episode.

“It’s all about not standing still and taking it to another level,” Smith said.

He added: “Welcome to the Beatdown.”

According to Smith, the three-time Super Bowl champ will debut Monday, Sep. 4, and appear Mondays and Tuesdays.

“First Take’, the destination for morning sports debate year-round, and now with Shannon joining the signature show’s fall guest lineup opposite Stephen A. and Molly (Qerim), fans will have even more to look forward to this NFL and college football season,” said Dave Roberts, ESPN’s head of event and studio production.

As previously reported by Front Office Sports, Sharpe will join an ensemble cast of debaters on Smith’s “First Take,” including Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, Kimberley A. Martin and Dan Orlovsky.

The weekday’s show audience grew 26% in July, averaging 363,000 viewers. “First Take” has posted 12 months in a row of year-over-year growth.

Sharpe and Bayless formed a successful debate duo for nearly seven years on “Undisputed.” But Sharpe left FS1 in June after several brutal on-air arguments with Bayless.

On Wednesday, Sharpe announced he and his Club Shay Shay Media were partnering with Colin Cowherd’s The Volume.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

George Shea

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.
exclusive

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap Strives to Discover Joey Chestnut’s Secret

Schaap calls his second Hot Dog Eating Contest July 4.
opinion

Caitlin Clark’s Media Supporters Pushing Harder Against Slights

Dick Vitale, Colin Cowherd, and others are accusing other WNBA players of jealousy.

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.

Featured Today

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.