ESPN has gone through some unprecedented changes in the past few months. The shocking wave of layoffs made way for NFL legend, Shannon Sharpe to join Stephen A. Smith on the smash-hit show, First Take. However, the network’s history of disputes run deep. In fact, several of such came from First Take and involved Stephen A. Smith.

Stephen A. Smith has served the billion-dollar network for over 20 years. Since taking over First Take in 2012, the 55-year-old has risen up the ranks in extraordinary fashion to become one of the most popular faces on television. However, his commitment to the show has always been unwavering. So much so that he recruited Sharpe himself to join the show along with him. But months before the NFL legend entered the show, the 55-year-old made a bold statement to ESPN’s management that put his own position in jeopardy.

Stephen A. Smith risks his career before Shannon Sharpe’s arrival

Stephen A. Smith made a bold decision to hire Shannon Sharpe last month. After his departure from Skip Bayless’ “Undisputed”, the fans were uncertain about the 55-year-old’s career as a sports analyst. However, Smith’s decision brought a wave of excitement among fans of the show. But this came about only because of a highly controversial set of layoffs that witnessed several high-profile analysts exit the network. One such was 50-year-old Max Kellerman.

Stephen A. Smith has been rumored to have had a major dispute with Kellerman over the years. While they served as co-hosts and analysts of the hit show, the tensions seemed to have risen behind the scenes. Smith addressed this very dispute that led him to put his own career at stake to “make a change”.

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“There’s nothing personal. We weren’t enemies….there’s been no conversations since and that’s fine with me” said Smith addressing his complicated relationship with Kellerman. He then mentioned “It was all business to me and it was about look man, I’m trying to win. I don’t believe I can win with you….”

“When I went upstairs to management, my exact words were look, if he’s that important to you, give him First Take. I’ll leave. Two hours later, I got the call, we’re making the change” he then revealed.

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Smith evidently had a word with ESPN’s management that may have led to Kellerman’s departure. However, his actions also helped facilitate Shannon Sharpe’s arrival. Now, with Sharpe at First Take, the show has already witnessed incredible success. In fact, within the first month, the show has overtaken Sharpe’s previous show, Undisputed.

Sharpe’s arrival made a major impact

Shannon Sharpe joining First Take has been an absolute blessing for the show so far. In the very first month, the show has recorded higher viewership than its competitors, including the likes of Skip Bayless’ Undisputed. Interestingly, Sharpe’s exit from the Fox Sports show has marked a major fall in ratings.

Skip Bayless brought along the self-acclaimed “Dream Team” to take over Undisputed after Sharpe’s departure. However, his experiment has not delivered, falling way below First Take in their first week’s ratings. The show was outmatched by Stephen A. Smith’s First Take over five times in a week, accounting for a disastrous start. While Undisputed drew an average of 130k viewers, First Take surpassed the Fox Sports show by over 300k more viewers each day in the first week.

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Clearly, Sharpe’s arrival to First Take has set it apart from its competitors. Although Smith had to put his own career at stake, he landed on gold with Sharpe. Now, the two analysts will have a tough task of maintaining this terrific success.