Stephen A. Smith Says He'd Support Shannon Sharpe Joining "First Take"

Stephen A. Smith says that he'd support Shannon Sharpe joining ESPN's First Take after it was reported that the NFL legend reached a buyout agreement with FS1. His last show with Skip Bayless on Undisputed will likely come after the NBA Finals. Bayless previously served as a co-host of First Take with Stephen A. Smith from 2007–2016.

“I don’t know what his plans are, I don’t know what he’s trying to pursue, I don’t know what he’s after. But if Shannon Sharpe needs me, I’m happy to be here for him,” Smith said on the Stephen A. Smith Show on Friday. “And if that included him wanting to come on First Take, the bosses at ESPN know that is something that I would support.” The buyout reportedly also stipulates that Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast will no longer be a part of FS1.

Stephen A. Smith During The NBA Playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Stephen A. Smith attends a playoff basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

Shannon Sharpe has been hosting Undisputed alongside Skip Bayless since September 2016. There has been noticeable animosity growing between the co-hosts in recent months. The relationship reached a particularly low point after Bayless' controversial tweet about Damaar Hamlin and his injury back in January.

More recently, the two got into a heated argument on air when Bayless made a comment noting that Tom Brady played until he was 45 years old while Sharpe retired at 35. "That's what you do," Sharpe responded. "Every time I call something into question, I get it … I did what I did! You make it seem like I was a bum! I'm in the effin' Hall of Fame. I got three Super Bowls!"

Stephen A. Smith On Shannon Sharpe's Future

Stephen A. Smith isn't the only voice in sports media to express interest in working with Sharpe. Cam'ron also invited him to join his talk show, It Is What It Is. “Shannon, you definitely got a home here,” Cam’ron recently said. “Yo, listen my n***a, come to It Is What It Is n***a. You know how much bread we get? And you can be you because we being us. Shit would be well, my n***a.”

[Via]