Whether you like Skip Bayless and and Stephen A. Smith or not, ESPN’s “First Take” has become extreme popular over the last few years, providing hot takes and endless debate during lunch breaks everywhere, and it’s earned Bayless a huge contract with FS1. The question, though, has been: Who will partner with Skip on his new show?
Could it be Colin Cowherd, who already left the mothership earlier this year? What about Jason Whitlock?
Nope. According to Michael McCarthy of the Sporting News, Skip’s new debate partner may in fact be former Denver Bronco and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
“He’s basically been auditioning for Skip — and FS1 — in plain sight,” a source told the Sporting News.
Sharpe was formerly an analyst on CBS’s “NFL Today” pregame show, but over the last few months, he’s been reemerging onto the “Hot-Take Scene” with gust appearances on “First Take” and FS1’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
Per usual, Skip even threw in a few jabs before the debating started.
I hope Shannon Sharpe is watching, reading and prepping as hard as I am for First Take tomorrow. He'll be in studio, debating NFL and NBA.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 16, 2016
In preshow meeting Shannon Sharpe said Giants will win NFC E, LeBron will win 3rd ring, OKC takes GSt to 7, Vikes miss playoffs! HaHa.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 16, 2016
And afterwards, Sharpe kept the punches swinging.
How many times must I out debate @RealSkipBayless b4 I'm declared the champ. Show is scheduled for 2 hrs, it's over in the 1st 30. #84out.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 16, 2016
I like going to @RealSkipBayless neighborhood and beating him dwn. It's what I do. "@illstr8r: … https://t.co/nk9lFmcsHb
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 16, 2016
Yep, gotta bust @RealSkipbayless up again. "@mjazzer: @ShannonSharpe @KwikWarren are you on tomorrow"
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 16, 2016
And when asked by fans if Sharpe was headed back to TV any time soon, he didn’t say no.
Talking with a few networks, hope to have something soon. "@DawgpoundRich64: @ShannonSharpe Champ,how does … https://t.co/TK7W9kkg7R
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 22, 2016
And if there’s one thing we know about Sharpe, it’s that he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Just ask the New England Patriots.
