Since Shannon Sharpe decided to leave FS1’s Undisputed and his co-host of seven years Skip Bayless to join Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take, he has not only accepted the change but embraced it too.
Sharpe appeared on Smith’s The Stephen A. Smith Show to discuss his time at Fox with Bayless and during the discussion, Sharpe focused on the cast that Bayless has hired to replace Sharpe since his departure – Michael Irvin, Keyshawn Johnson, and Richard Sherman in addition to Bayless.
“Y’all not going to be better than me and Stephen A. That’s not going to happen… I promise you, that is not going to happen,” said Sharpe.
That wasn’t all Sharpe had to say about the ongoing feud. He continued on his rant to proclaim that even if Smith were somehow removed from the picture, Sharpe and First Take would still have Undisputed beat in the ratings column.
“If Stephen A. ever decides to leave and turn the reins over to me, you all know I’m that dude. I’m him.”
Sharpe may be on to something given that First Take ratings have skyrocketed since Sharpe joined the show earlier this month while Undisputed has been struggling to replace what Sharpe brought to the table.
After a seven-year working relationship, it is interesting to see these two media personalities clash so openly to the public eye, to say the least. Sharpe/Smith hold the early edge in this newfound rivalry and haven’t been afraid to make it known.
