Shannon Sharpe Reveals Stephen A. Smith’s Support During Embarrassing Scandal & ESPN Exit

Many accused Stephen A. Smith of bailing on his First Take colleague Shannon Sharpe after facing a lawsuit from an OnlyFans model.

Shannon Sharpe Reveals Stephen A. Smith’s Support During Embarrassing Scandal & ESPN Exit

Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith (Image via Shannon Sharpe/X)

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As ESPN’s most popular analyst alongside Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe was on an upward career trajectory, enjoying success both on television and on his podcast and talk shows.

He openly claimed that he was making far more money than he ever did as a Hall of Fame tight end in the NFL. His decisions to bring on controversial and mercurial guests helped his Club Shay Shay talk show, as well as his nightly recap podcast, Nightcap, succeed.

Then his humor and dramatized opinions on First Take made him a must-watch. Smith credited Sharpe’s influence in helping the show scale new heights in terms of ratings.

Then, one fine day, it all came crashing down. His podcast and talk show have survived, but the lawsuit he faced from an OnlyFans model ended his career with ESPN, while also draining a lot of money from his accounts.

After his exit, the former Denver Broncos star has stuck to his two shows and has not appeared much in public spaces. The last time he did, videos circulated on social media depicting what looks like an argument between Stephen A. Smith and his former colleague.

Stephen A. Smith has called me and been there every step of the way. I will say that.

Shannon Sharpe said on Nightcap

The NFL Hall of Famer said this while revealing how he witnessed people around him desert him when the scandal dropped. His words pour cold water on rumors that his exit caused friction with his former First Take colleague.

Shannon Sharpe gives Stephen A. Smith his flowers

Shannon Sharpe did not just lose money to the OnlyFans model through that lawsuit. He lost his job at ESPN, lost face among his fans, including many who were close to him. In the midst of this, he reveals how Stephen A. Smith was a constant support.

I know a lot of people say a lot of things about Stephen A., all I can attest to is the way Stephen A. is with Shannon. And he’s been great. When I went through what I was going through with FOX, he was there. When I was going through this, he was calling, ‘Anything I can do, what can I do?’

Shannon Sharpe revealed

The three-time Super Bowl champion added that the First Take host did not need to do that, but was there during his most difficult time. This proved to him that of all the people who were associating with Sharpe during his peak, it was just Smith who stuck by him when he was down.

This clarifies to a degree that Stephen A. Smith might not have had a choice when ESPN’s top brass decided to cut bait with Shannon Sharpe amidst the scandal.

Shannon Sharpe might not appear on television ever again

Before the scandal surrounding the lawsuit became public, ESPN had already had some words with Shannon Sharpe after his Instagram live video brought embarrassment to the network.

Shannon Sharpe might not appear on television again
Shannon Sharpe might not appear on television again (Image via Complex Sports/X)

They did not reprimand him. Instead, they gave him a multi-year extension. The Savannah, Georgia native had revealed in passing that his contract with the network was lucrative.

Now that he no longer has it, ‘Unc’, as he is fondly known, has stuck to his two shows, NightCap and Club Shay Shay. After those two instances, it is highly unlikely that the 57-year-old would ever return to television.

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