Shannon Sharpe has weighed in on his former broadcast partner Skip Bayless’ impending departure from FS1.
As The Post first reported, Bayless is set to leave “Undisputed” after eight years of co-hosting the morning debate program on FS1.
Sharpe, who was paired with Bayless for the first seven of those years and left last summer, said on his “Nightcap” podcast that he kept in touch with a lot of the goings on at FS1 since his exit about a year ago, but rattled off some names of people behind the scenes in makeup and production who he missed.
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“I don’t really know what happened with Skip. Skip gave me an opportunity. I’ve been very forthcoming about that. I’m not in the position I’m in if Skip doesn’t give me the opportunity,” Sharpe said.
“But when people say it’s luck, that’s what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I was prepared when the opportunity presented itself, and I took full advantage of that. So, I’ll be forever grateful for Skip giving me the opportunity. I want Skip to win. I wanted Skip to succeed at ‘Undisputed’ and just because I’m not there, that doesn’t mean I don’t want him to succeed. I just realized that me and him couldn’t succeed at the same table.”
Sharpe, who has had immense success with his own podcasts and on ESPN’s “First Take” over the past year, continued to say he wants the best for Bayless.
“I want him to succeed. I want me to succeed. I want Stephen A. [Smith] and I to succeed. I’m not jealous of anybody. I’ve never been jealous of anybody. That’s not how I operate. I appreciate Fox giving me the opportunity. I appreciate Skip going to bat for me and giving me the opportunity. But, things happen,” Sharpe said.
“I don’t know what Skip’s going to do. I wish him the best, but I don’t make the call. ESPN [issued a statement saying Bayless wouldn’t be on ‘First Take’] and Stephen A. said what he said. But at the end of the day, ESPN’s going to make a call. Shannon don’t call the shots at ‘First Take’.”
Sharpe said that the only people he’s ever really spoken to off-air at ESPN were Disney CEO Bob Iger, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, president of content Burke Magnus and head of event and studio production Dave Roberts.
At the end of the segment, Sharpe alluded to the falling out he eventually had with Bayless, which included a heated debate about Baker Mayfiel and friction in the wake of Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s collapse on the field.
“I wish Skip the best,” Sharpe continued. “I had seven amazing years. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m not going to let six months ruin a great relationship.”