Shannon Sharpe’s future on First Take faces speculation after he sided with LeBron James in a feud with Stephen A. Smith.
Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL star, has made a name for himself in the media since joining ESPN’s First Take in September 2023.
His journey with First Take began after a high-profile departure from Fox Sports’ Undisputed, where he co-hosted alongside Skip Bayless for seven years.
The prime reason behind his departure was the growing tensions between him and his co-host, Skip Bayless.
Meanwhile, speculations of Sharpe leaving First Take remains unconfirmed, for he had signed a multi-year contract extension in June 2024.
That said, despite his success, rumors of Sharpe’s departure from First Take surfaced in recent weeks after he defended LeBron James amid Stephen A. Smith‘s criticism following James’s comments on The Pat McAfee Show.
Just days ago, on March 29, 2025, he weighed in on the ongoing feud between Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James.
The drama began when LeBron publicly criticized Smith for misrepresenting his stance during an interview on the Pat McAfee Show.
Sharpe, a known supporter of LeBron, addressed the situation on his podcast Nightcap with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, advising Smith to move on from the issue.
His public commentary on the issue made the encounter go viral and get widespread attention on the internet.
Later, Smith fired back afterward on his own show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, calling LeBron a “liar.”
Hence, given the situation, some fans suggest that Sharpe’s role on First Take might be affected by it because of the rumors of a rift between Sharpe and Smith.
As of now, neither ESPN nor Sharpe have hinted or confirmed that he is leaving First Take.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- A proud father of three, Shannon Sharpe has never been married. He shares his son, Kiari, with his ex-girlfriend, Erika Evans. He has two daughters, Kayla and Kaley, whose mother’s identity remains concealed.
- Shannon Sharpe has an estimated net worth of around $14 million, accumulated from his NFL career and prominence as a decorated media personality.
