Shannon Sharpe has spoken to ESPN about becoming a “high-profile contributor” on the network.
That is according to Michael McCarthy and A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, who are reporting that the role would see him join the rotating cast of analysts debating Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take’.
The current cast includes the likes of JJ Redick, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, Jay Williams, Kendrick Perkins, and Michael Irvin, though the latter remains away from TV amid his legal battle.
The move to ESPN would allow Sharpe to continue his ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast, which now has 1.23 million subscribers. He is also likely to land a lucrative deal with FanDuel, with the company very relaxed about talent working with other companies.
Since quitting FS1’s Undisputed, Sharpe has held discussions with a number of prospective employers.
McCarthy and Perez note he and his representatives have had multiple meetings with various suitors over the past week.
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The NFL Hall of Famer is expected to start working again before the beginning of the upcoming NFL season.
Meanwhile, Smith has indicated that he would love it if Sharpe were to join him at ESPN, though he later explained that he would prefer him as part of a rotating cast and not a full-time debate partner like Max Kellerman was.
