Shannon Sharpe has a new gig! Last week, Stephen A. Smith shared the news that Sharpe is joining the ESPN “First Take” team, and the kickoff is set for September 4. Sharpe, a Hall of Fame tight end, used to be a commentator on CBS. He’s making the switch to ESPN after seven intense years on “Undisputed,” where he and Skip Bayless went head-to-head.

Reportedly, Fox Sports had a tough time finding a replacement for Sharpe, but ESPN is ready to soar with Sharpe as Stephen A. Smith’s new co-host. And the exciting part? Just days before their new show kicks off, Stephen A. Smith dropped by “Club Shay Shay” to chat with Shannon about the show’s essence.

Upcoming show with one promise

During their podcast chat, Smith and Sharpe shared stories from their time on “First Take” and “Undisputed.” Sharpe spoke from the heart, emphasizing the importance of respect between strong-willed individuals, saying, “Two people that, strong will can absolutely get along, as long as there’s respect. The moment one disrespects, the other loses respect for the one that disrespected him, so now it’s just a matter of time.”

Stephen A. Smith, a well-known veteran journalist, agreed with Sharpe’s sentiments, stressing their responsibility to run a good show respectfully. He said, “We gonna agree, we gonna disagree. But at the end of the day, we brothers, and we gonna sit up there and try to do what we can to make our products shine. That’s our responsibility.”

Truly, Sharpe and Smith, who are highly prominent figures in the NFL world with a vast ocean of knowledge about the game, will make for a profitable deal for fans seeking expert insights.

Shannon Sharpe’s emotional goodbye to Skip Bayless

In January, there was tension between Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin had a health scare. Bayless’ tweet about postponing the game sparked controversy. Later, Sharpe tearfully thanked Bayless during his final “Undisputed” appearance on June 13.

“Last but not least: Skip Bayless. You fought for me, brother. I’m here because of you. I’m going to cry in the car, but I’m not going to cry now. I’ll never forget what you did for me.” Sharpe delivered an emotional goodbye statement to Bayless during a live show.

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“One more thing before you go, Skip. One more thing. All I ask, is when you lay your head of that pillow at night, know I gave you everything I had. I gave you everything I had.”

The exact reason for Sharpe’s exit from “Undisputed” remains unclear. However, there’s speculation that Richard Sherman will take over as co-host in the fall of 2023.

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