Shannon Sharpe Joins ESPN's First Take to Debate Stephen A. Smith After Leaving Undisputed

ESPN's First Take has announced that Shannon Sharpe will be joining the show on Mondays and Tuesdays during the upcoming football season.

The morning sports debate show time slot has just become a whole lot more intense. ESPN's First Take, known for pioneering the sports debate show format, has undergone several changes since its inception. The show initially featured Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless engaging in heated debates, but Bayless left in 2016 to join rival sports channel Fox Sports. There, he started a similar show called Undisputed, where he sparred with former football tight end Shannon Sharpe.

Finding a suitable replacement for Bayless on First Take has been a challenge. Max Kellerman filled the role temporarily before being replaced and later fired. Since then, a rotating cast of analysts has faced off against Smith. Surprisingly, this approach has worked well for First Take, with the likes of Chris "Mad Dog" Russo and former NBA player J.J. Reddick engaging in intense sports talk battles with Smith.

Both First Take and Undisputed were thriving until Sharpe decided to part ways with Bayless. Rumors immediately circulated that Smith was interested in recruiting Sharpe for First Take, and it seems those rumors have now become reality. ESPN recently announced that Sharpe will join the show, but not in a full-time capacity.

First Take will continue its strategy of having Smith as the mainstay and rotating in guest hosts. Sharpe will appear on the show on Mondays and Tuesdays during the upcoming football season. The other popular guest hosts, such as Russo and Reddick, will likely fill in the remaining three days of the week. The show's talented moderator, Molly Qerim, will do her best to manage the diverse panel of analysts each day.

This partnership between Smith and Sharpe seems like a perfect match. Sharpe's expertise in post-NFL football analysis will allow him to break down the biggest stories alongside Smith, who is known for his passionate and opinionated takes. First Take has built a reputation for its fiery debates, and this addition will only amplify the intensity.

The news of Sharpe joining First Take may sting for Skip Bayless, who now faces competition of his own. Bayless recently announced that hip-hop artist Lil Wayne will occasionally join him on Undisputed for sports debates. While it may not be a direct competition (or maybe it is), it's safe to say that First Take and Smith are currently leading the charge.

In conclusion, the morning sports debate show landscape is about to get even more electrifying with Shannon Sharpe joining ESPN's First Take. With Smith and Sharpe's dynamic personalities and their ability to deliver compelling hot takes, viewers can expect an engaging and passionate sports debate experience.

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