Shannon Sharpe, ESPN Agree to Multiyear Contract to Continue on ‘First Take,’ More

Adam WellsJune 11, 2024

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The long-rumored deal to keep Shannon Sharpe at ESPN has been made official.

ESPN announced on Tuesday that Sharpe has signed a multiyear deal with the network that will keep him as a regular contributor on First Take and expand his role on other programs that will be announced at a later date.

“Being a part of this family has been a blessing,” Sharpe said in the release. “Everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A., and First Take, has been tremendous. I look forward to expanding my role and showing more of the world what I have to offer. The show goes on!”

Sharpe originally joined ESPN on a short-term deal in August. He originally appeared on First Take on Mondays and Tuesdays during the NFL and college football seasons.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer signed an extension in February that would keep him on the show for the remainder of the NBA regular season.

Richard Deitsch of The Athletic reported last month that Sharpe and ESPN were “on the precipice” of a new deal that is believed to be for four years.

Sharpe moved to ESPN after a seven-year run as co-host of FS1’s Undisputed with Skip Bayless when the show launched in September 2016. He had a falling out with Bayless in the wake of Bayless took a shot at his NFL career during a segment on the show.

FS1 agreed to a buyout with Sharpe in June 2023, allowing him to make the move to ESPN.

In addition to his television duties, Sharpe hosts the Club Shay Shay and Nightcap podcasts. He hosts the latter podcast with former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson and former NBA player Gilbert Arenas.