ESPN Extension Sets Up Sharpe As Stephen A's Successor
If Smith goes into politics or can't reach a deal with ESPN, Sharpe could replace him as the face of the network.
frontofficesports.com
Contract expires next year, but does ESPN even need him at this point?
- First Take is a well-oiled machine that will still be #1 in their timeslot regardless
- Shannon Sharpe isn't what he used to be on Undisputed because it might not be doable with SAS in there
- The show has decent to good guest panelists each week either way, and SAS is remote more than 50% of the time
- ESPN would save $12M+ a year in talent salary by not paying him
- He has a controversial take that he spews out confidently at first and then twists it or backs down from it the next day
- He decreases the quality of their NBA studio coverage, leaves before games end and the NBA criticism is growing more and more
- He's hardly an insider (makes claims that aren't substantiated all the time), isn't a journalist (despite what he says about his Philly Inquirer days 20+ years ago) and doesn't bring value to any other programming
- That "embrace debate' shyt is played and we're already seeing Skip Bayless fade out (thankfully)
ESPN needs to make an adjustment in their coverage overall, they need to promote new blood and the other good talent they have in-house and deciding to let SAS walk could be a good start to a new era, especially with all the new rights fees and ventures they're getting into.
. Homey locked in as long as he is getting those ratings.
Numbers don't have emotions behind them my friend.
