Amid reports of Shannon Sharpe reportedly agreeing to appear on ESPN’s First Take on Mondays and Tuesdays during the football season, the sports media world finally received somewhat of an answer as to the future of the former Undisputed commentator. Stephen A. Smith, executive producer and featured commentator on the hit morning show, threw his support behind the former NFL tight end and hopes that a deal does get done. Reporting from Andrew Marchand and Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post that it was official, however, has been refuted by Smith himself, as per a clip released on social media late Thursday.
“It’d be great to have him,” Smith said. “Here’s the issue: We don’t. Sorry, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post – it’s a bit premature. Shannon Sharpe has yet to sign on the dotted line to be a member of First Take.
If a deal ultimately comes to fruition, Sharpe would enhance a deep roster of commentators and analysts that join Smith and host Molly Qerim at the desk, including Marcus Spears, Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo, Mina Kimes and JJ Redick among others. Smith is optimistic ESPN will be able to acquire another knowledgeable and entertaining superstar to add to the First Take rotation.
“I’m still confident it’ll happen; I still believe it will happen,” Smith said. “I think it needs to happen, and I have no doubt that I’m going to exhaust any means I have available to me to make it happen.”
