The sports broadcasting world was recently shocked by the news of Shannon Sharpe bidding farewell to Skip Bayless on the sets of ‘Undisputed’. After a successful stint with Fox Sports, speculations have been rife about Shannon Sharpe’s next move in the broadcasting world. Amidst all the buzz, Stephen A. Smith has dropped a major hint about NFL’s favorite Unc’s future with ESPN.
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ESPN itself has been going through a period of transformation on a massive scale, with layoffs creating uncertainty among employees, including the likes of Stephen A. Smith. Amidst all this, in a recent tweet, Smith admitted that he is actively trying to bring Shannon Sharpe on First Take.
Stephen A. Smith Discusses Shannon Sharpe’s Potential Onboarding at ‘First Take’
After an impressive NFL career, Shannon Sharpe has showcased his talents beyond the football field in the world of broadcasting. With his departure from ‘The Undisputed,’ Stephen A. Smith, who wasn’t so sure a few weeks ago about his own retention amidst the layoffs, has now openly expressed interest in bringing Sharpe on First Take. In a tweet that leaves no room for ambiguity, Smith declared,
“The rumors are right. I want @ShannonSharpe on First Take.”
Smith, on The Stephen A. Smith Show, openly addresses Sharpe’s potential appearance on ESPN’s First Take. He said teasingly, “I’m not going to tell you that’s true, I’m not going to tell you it’s not either.” However, he quickly clarified his intentions, asserting, “I want Shannon Sharpe on First Take, and I aim to get him.”
The man @ShannonSharpe can pull up with a bottle of Hennessy for all I care.
I want him on First Take pic.twitter.com/FdL78bnGps
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 21, 2023
Smith further stated, “We are definitely talking to Shannon Sharpe, and the conversations are official. The reports have not been misnomers or misreports.” Smith’s take indicates that a positive announcement may be imminent. Moreover, with ESPN laying off employees on a large scale and giving deals to the likes of Pat McAfee, Sharpe’s on boarding doesn’t seem like a distant dream.
An Intriguing Irony: ESPN’s Potential Layoff and Pursuit of Shannon Sharpe
While Stephen did a great job at clearing the air, the idea of bringing someone as massive as Shannon Sharpe in at a time of layoff is intriguing. Not only this, the situation is more or less ironic as it was only a couple of weeks ago, that Stephen had talked about the uncertainty regarding his retention with ESPN during the layoffs.
“I could be next,” Stephen had said. He acknowledged the uncertain climate surrounding the layoffs at ESPN. Smith’s candid admission highlights the vulnerability experienced even by revered figures in the broadcasting world.
No ESPN will die off if they lay off Stephen a Smith, when I think of ESPN I think of Stephen a smith Imo he’s the face of ESPN if they lay him off I will never watch ESPN again for their madness of a decision
— MasterJ (@JackeyChen30) July 4, 2023
As the broadcasting giants play their cards, fans are eagerly awaiting the possibility of witnessing the dynamic duo of Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe on ESPN. If the collaboration comes to fruition, it is bound to be a game-changer in the world of sports commentary.
