Tuesday morning was Shannon Sharpe’s final day as co-host of Undisputed with Skip Bayless as both entities move in new directions. The show first launched on FOX Sports 1 in 2016 featuring Bayless, who had moved to the network after working with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s morning debate show, First Take. The two parting ways made for an emotional goodbye on the air Tuesday morning, and it also amplified possibilities about the next evolution of the show – including whether or not it will even look to add a co-host.
Jenny Taft served as the moderator of Undisputed for four years, becoming familiar with the proclivities of Bayless and Sharpe and aiming to position them for sustained success. While she was a regular member of the show, it achieved success in the ratings and continued to rise to national prosperity.
“It was a great experience for me,” Taft told Barrett Sports Media regarding her time on Undisputed. “I’m a little sad to see it come to an end to be honest. I am still very close with Shannon – he and I talked the other day. I think it’s a bummer to see a show that I really always believed in kind of end that way, but I know Shannon is going to be doing something incredible.”
Sharpe is still in the process of determining the next steps of his career, and he has hinted at a big move through various social media posts. Stephen A. Smith has invited Sharpe to appear on First Take as a contributor, and he is likely drawing interest from other corners of the sports media industry. Through his time hosting Undisputed and contributing to other FOX Sports coverage, Sharpe has transformed into one of the most compelling and captivating personalities in the business.
“He’s one of the hardest working people I know,” Taft added. “So whatever’s next for Shannon, I cannot wait to see it. And I do miss the daily grind of a studio show and it was fun.”
