'Get Your Popcorn Ready' For Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith | HBCU Legends
Shannon Sharpe announced his move to ESPN's 'First Take' with a photoshopped image of himself (as LeBron James) dunking a basketball in an ESPN uniform alongside Stephen A. Smith (as Dwayne Wade). The Pro Football Hall of Famer will officially join First Take on Monday, Sept. 4. Smith mentioned that he learned of the official news 60 seconds before the show's live taping on Thursday morning.
Sharpe will be with Smith and Molly Qerim as the sports debate broadcast's weekly guest on Mondays and Tuesdays. " I want to thank everybody here, the success that we've been able to enjoy," Smith said.
"It's all about not standing still and taking it to another level. And the official, this morning, Mr. Shannon Sharpe, will be joining the crew. He will be joining First Take. It is official. Shannon Sharpe is coming to First Take. He will debut Monday, September 4, he will be on here every Monday and Tuesday with yours truly, of course, the crew Dan Orlovsky, Kimberly, Marcus Spears, Mad Dog Russo, Ryan Clark, and the crew."
Expect Sharpe and Smith to leverage their relationships with prominent sports figures to boost First Take's ratings as the NFL, NBA, and college football begin their new seasons. The legendary HBCU alums have a prime opportunity to develop a stellar broadcast and take control of their sports debate platform.