Shannon Sharpe will be joining ESPN’s “First Take” talk show as a contributor starting Sept. 4, the cable sports network announced Thursday.
Mr. Sharpe, a Super Bowl-winning tight end with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, will appear Mondays and Tuesdays to talk football.
His debut opposite Stephen A. Smith comes ahead of the first week of the 2023 National Football League season.
Mr. Sharpe was formerly a host on Fox Sports 1’s “Undisputed,” verbally sparring with Skip Bayless, who himself was once the main debate partner across from Mr. Smith on “First Take.” Mr. Sharpe left “Undisputed” after this past National Basketball Association season.
Mr. Smith announced the news on air.
“First of all, thank you for joining the show. Secondly, condolences in advance — you’re not used to getting beat down [in oral confrontations],” he said.
Mr. Sharpe commemorated the news by posting an altered sports photo on X and telling viewers to pop their popcorn.
GET YOUR POPCORN READY # 2HBCUALUMS #SSU #WSSU pic.twitter.com/2xoj0sSupP</ a>
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) August 24, 2023
While Mr. Sharpe will make appearances on “First Take,” his other media ventures won’t be associated with ESPN. His podcast, Club Shay Shay, will move to the Volume, a new video and podcasting platform founded by FS1 TV personality Colin Cowherd.
