In a recent segment on First Take, analysts Stephen A. Smith, JJ Redick, and Shannon Sharpe discussed who could become the next face of the NBA after LeBron James retires. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Sharpe brought up the importance of a stable marital status for NBA players.
Sharpe argued that players like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who were married, or LeBron James, who has a stable relationship with his wife Savannah, may have an advantage in becoming the face of the league. He compared it to how voters often prefer presidential candidates who are seen as having stable personal lives.
Stephen A. Smith and JJ Redick stunned as Shannon Sharpe measures NBA stars by marital status https://t.co/fPNnmammuq pic.twitter.com/vJP7FfDZgX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 20, 2024
Smith and Redick seemed puzzled by Sharpe’s point, but host Molly Qerim defended him, suggesting that positive optics in a player’s personal life could enhance their marketability.
While Sharpe cited examples like LeBron James and Steph Curry as players with stable relationships, Redick countered by noting that past faces of the NBA haven’t always had perfect off-court behavior. He hinted at incidents like Kobe Bryant’s legal troubles in 2003 but didn’t provide specific examples.
Interestingly, Sharpe’s emphasis on marital status isn’t entirely unique. Other sports analysts like Colin Cowherd have expressed similar views, believing that athletes who are married or in stable relationships may have certain advantages in their careers.
