Stephen A. Smith confirms ESPN is in talks with Shannon Sharpe about joining First Take

ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith confirmed on his YouTube show Friday that the network is in discussions with Shannon Sharpe, leading the way for the former FS1 on-air personality to appear alongside Smith on “First Take.”

Smith added he aims to “get him.”

Stephen a smith confirms espn is talking to Unc Shannon sharpe about joining first take 😭🔥🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/vF5laL8yj9

— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) July 21, 2023

“Make no mistake about it, I’m not apologizing to a damn show. I want Shannon Sharpe on ‘First Take’ and I aim to get him,” Smith said, via Awful Announcing. “We are talking to him and I am hopeful, very hopeful and very confident that ultimately we will be announcing sooner than later that he will be on ‘First Take.’”

Sharpe, 55, wrapped up his duties on “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” following the conclusion of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat after reaching a buyout with Fox Sports.

Michael McCarthy and A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, initially reported Wednesday that Sharpe had discussed becoming a high-profile “contributor” with ESPN. Additionally, the deal would enable Sharpe to continue his “Club Shay Shay” podcast, which has reached 1.23 million subscribers. While the report indicated Sharpe has spoken to other companies since his exit from Fox Sports, Smith said he expects ESPN to work out a deal with the Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end.

“I not only want him for ‘First Take,’ I want him for our network because I consider Shannon Sharpe an asset,” Smith said. “And I’m not here to throw shade on any other show, on any other network, but I think with a talent like that, I don’t think you let somebody like that walk out the door. Somebody else’s loss, I intend for it to be my gain. I sincerely hope and pray that ESPN works it out, but more importantly, I expect them to.”

Stephen A. Smith hoping to share debate desk with Shannon Sharpe on ESPN

While Smith would love to have Sharpe on “First Take,” he previously stated he wanted the show format to remain a rotating cast of debate partners, which would include Sharpe.

“I welcome Shannon Sharpe to ‘First Take,’ but it would be in the mix of being part of the family. I’m not looking for an everyday person on ‘First Take.’ So, for all of you clamoring for that, get over it,” Smith said on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” last month. “I like the potpourri of contributors. I like the action and the excitement and the fun on the show. Adding people into the mix is one thing. Changing the complete makeup and formula of the show is entirely different.”