Shannon Sharpe’s departure from FS1’s “Undisputed” alongside Skip Bayless left many fans puzzled. The former NFL tight end had remained tight-lipped about the situation, but it was evident that a rift had formed between him and Bayless, reaching its breaking point during a heated exchange over Tom Brady in December 2022.
The tension boiled over when Bayless took a personal jab at Sharpe’s NFL career, stating that Brady was playing at a high level at 45, while Sharpe had to stop at 35. Sharpe fired back, highlighting the absurdity of comparing their careers, considering they played different positions. This exchange was a turning point, and it became clear that the respect between the co-hosts was finished.
“A lot of that is my fault. Because there were times that led up to that ,that I felt shots were taken and I let it go. And I should’ve said something then, but I didn’t. And I would bring it to people’s attention, and they brushed it up under the rug. So that was my fault that it got to that point and he felt that he could go over the top in that situation. I think in any relationship where there’s host, co-host… once one partner has no respect for the other, the other partner then in turn loses respect for said partner. Then, I think it’s only a matter of time. Because in that moment I had felt he had lost all respect for me. He had no respect for me” : Said Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe finally speaks out against Skip Bayless on the incident that partly led to him leaving Undisputed.
"I felt in that moment he had lost all respect for me, he had no respect for me. He had no respect for me."
"It really, really hurt me."pic.twitter.com/OEddkWv9wJ https://t.co/Vj1rvQyAwy
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 22, 2023
Sharpe recently shed light on his departure during an interview with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take.” He admitted that he should have addressed the disrespect earlier but chose not to. He felt that Bayless had lost all respect for him, leading to a toxic work environment. Sharpe believed that once one partner in a hosting relationship loses respect for the other, it’s only a matter of time before they part ways.
Despite the ups and downs, Sharpe acknowledged his gratitude for the opportunity and credited Bayless for advocating for him as co-host when FS1 initially wanted to pair him with a journalist. He emphasized that Bayless didn’t make him who he is today. Sharpe’s relatability, storytelling skills, and football knowledge were his own, not crafted by his former co-host and it’s just a matter of respect in the profession.
Now, on “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith, Sharpe has found a new home, and it’s evident in the viewership numbers. “First Take” has been dominating “Undisputed” in recent weeks, drawing significantly higher viewership. This shift reflects the audience’s approval of Sharpe and Smith’s dynamic, which promises engaging sports debates without the toxicity that marred his previous partnership with Bayless.
