Shannon Sharpe Out at ESPN: Insider Reveals Ex-NFL Star Favored to Take Over First Take

Recently, Shannon Sharpe has found himself in a flurry of news articles due to accusations that have been made against him. At 56 years old, this ex-NFL tight end is facing a lawsuit for $50 million from an anonymous woman (Jane Doe) who alleges he raped her on multiple occasions and threatened her. Sharpe has since denied the sexual assault charges and announced his decision to step down from his hosting role on ESPN’s “First Take”. Now, word is spreading about a possible replacement for this three-time Super Bowl champion, and it appears another former athlete will be filling the position.

Who Might Replace Shannon Sharpe During His Hiatus?

Over the last few years, many retired professional athletes have stepped into the role of sports analysts for ESPN. Furthermore, several of them have been generating attention across various media platforms. Jason Kelce is an example of such a media figure, and according to The U.S. Sun’s source, he’s currently favored to take over Shannon Sharpe’s spot on FT while he’s away from the show. This new development would represent another accomplishment for Kelce as he carries on his work at that specific news network.

In 2024, the retired Philadelphia Eagle and future hall of famer, Jason Kelce, was invited to join the show “Monday Night Countdown” on Disney’s sports-focused network. He also hosts a talk show titled “They Call It Late Night” on the same channel. Separate from his involvement with the large sports company, Kelce also co-hosts the “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Travis. Although this news about Jason should be viewed with some skepticism, his expanding portfolio certainly makes him a plausible stand-in for “First Take”.

No matter who eventually signs up for “First Take”, it’s only logical to assume that a suitable candidate will have to be chosen fairly quickly. Meanwhile, Shannon Sharpe continues to deal with his ongoing legal matters.

What’s Shannon Sharpe’s History With ESPN And What’s Going On With His Legal Situation?

2023 marked Shannon Sharpe’s departure from FS1, where he was hosting Undisputed. This decision came after a series of intense on-air disagreements with his co-host Skip Bayless. Interestingly, in September of the same year, Sharpe joined First Take as a rotating panelist. Known for his insightful analysis, Sharpe also became the subject of humor due to an unintentional mix-up where he referred to Stephen A. Smith as “Skip.” To ease any confusion, Smith later asked fans to be understanding about this mistake. In February 2024, Sharpe renewed his contract to stay on the show, and by June, he had also signed a comprehensive deal with ESPN.

Over the past few years, the host of Club Shay Shay on ESPN has experienced a rollercoaster ride of events. Back in December 2024, he defended himself against criticism from his colleagues regarding his remarks about Ohio State coach Ryan Day’s job security. Notably, this sports legend made headlines last year when he accidentally live-streamed an intimate moment, which sparked a wave of reactions among fans and fellow commentators.

More on Shannon Sharpe

In a playful twist, Shannon Sharpe seems to have thrown a subtle jab at Skip Bayless during the recent FS1 drama, and social media can’t get enough of this petty exchange.

In relation to the ongoing legal matter, Shannon Sharpe is being sued in Clark County, Nevada. The woman’s attorney, Tony Buzzbee, who has represented plaintiffs against Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, is handling this case. She claims that Sharpe, whom she allegedly met in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20, raped her in October 2024 and again in January 2025. In a statement to CBS News, Buzzbee described the lawsuit as detailing a series of actions involving intimidation, manipulation, and abuse, including accusations that Sharpe threatened to choke and slap Jane Doe. Subsequently, Sharpe released a video denying these allegations, stating that Buzzbee and Jane Doe are trying to extort him.

Shannon Sharpe wants to return to TV work before the NFL season starts (in July). ESPN hasn’t announced a specific return date for him yet. Until then, we’ll see if Jason Kelce replaces Sharpe on First Take.

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2025-04-29 17:37