A new report suggests that Stephen A. Smith may be Shannon Sharpe’s way to an ESPN return after he settled a recent lawsuit that included some ugly allegations.
During his seven-year run debating Skip Bayless on FS1’s Undisputed, Sharpe became one of the prominent faces in the world of talking heads talking sports. However, after his surprising dismissal in June of 2023, the football Hall of Famer became an even bigger media star as a sympathetic figure and through new endeavors like his Club Shay Shay podcast.
He ended up landing some big-money podcast deals and even got a weekly recurring spot on ESPN’s First Take. However, his house of cards came crashing down last summer when a former love interest filed a $50 million lawsuit against him. Accusing him of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Despite his public claims of innocence, when it was revealed that he tried to settle out of court previously, he looked to quiet the scandal with a boatload of money via an out-of-court settlement later in the year. With that behind him, Shape has made it known recently that he would like to return to his role with ESPN after losing it because of the lawsuit.
“I would love to go back if they were to call,” Sharpe told Front Office Sports this week. “Burke [Magnus], Jimmy [Pitaro], Dave Roberts. That is their call. But obviously, I’m more than willing, I’m more than capable. They see what we do here on Nightcap. They see the numbers that we generate. . . . I still have a fan base. I still have a big following. If a reunion is in order, I’m amenable to it.”
Stephen A. is Shannon Sharpe’s ‘ace in the hole’ for ESPN return?
Yet, after such ugly allegations, that seems easier said then down. However, on Saturday, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested the network’s top star, Stephen A. Smith, could be Sharpe’s “ace in the hole” to push through a return. Especially since it seems like Smith is still very much in the former NFL star’s corner despite the allegations, which included audio evidence.
“Stephen A. never left my side,” Sharpe told Front Office Sports. “We still talk. We probably talk more now than we did when I was actually on the show. He’s been great. He’s always been in my corner.”
While it would be tough to bring Sharpe back after such bad claims, with time, if anyone has the pull at the network, it is the man who is making $40 million a year. Especially if they have become even closer friends.
