Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe will be sticking around with ESPN sports long-term.
Shannon Sharpe left FS1’s “Undisputed” program last June after a seven-year run working alongside Skip Bayless. Sharpe started working on ESPN’s “First Take” program, hosted by Bayless’ former colleague Stephen A. Smith, last September.
According to a report from Richard Deitsch of The Athletic, Sharpe and the Worldwide Leader in Sports are closing in on signing a multi-year contract. The deal “will be completed soon,” according to Deitsch:
“The deal has not been formally signed yet but all indications are that it will be completed soon, per a source briefed on the discussions. The deal will have Sharpe continuing to appear on “First Take” regularly. It could also include some appearances on NFL programming.”
Before joining FS1, Sharpe was an NFL analyst for CBS’ popular “The NFL Today” program. Bayless left ESPN and “First Take” which he co-hosted with Smith to take over FS1’s new “Undisputed” show.
Sharpe filmed his final “Undisputed” episode on June 13 of last year. Soon after, it was confirmed that he would be on “First Take,” while Bayless and FS1 quickly assembled a new lineup to replace Sharpe.
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The current “Undisputed” features former ESPN talents Keyshawn Johnson and Rachel Nichols, NFL legends Richard Sherman and Michael Irvin, rapper Lil Wayne and Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce.
Before he entered sports media, Sharpe was a superstar NFL tight end who earned eight Pro Bowl nods and four First-team All-Pro selections. He won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in the 1997 and ’98 seasons and a third ring with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.
A Well-Deserved Deal For Shannon Sharpe
Sharpe has been one of the most entertaining and hilarious personalities in the sports media world, and ESPN was wise to quickly sign him following his departure from FS1.
The 55-year-old Sharpe has been a valuable addition to a network that cut a long list of top talents last year. That group included the aforementioned Keyshawn Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Steve Young, Matt Hasselbeck, Suzy Kolber, Joon Lee, Todd McShay and Max Kellerman.
Sharpe has a massive following and drives ratings wherever he lands. Fans know by now just how rocky his working relationship was with Bayless, but Sharpe now has a secure long-term deal with the world’s biggest sports media company. And it’s well-deserved in every aspect.
