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.
Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless shake hands during Sharpe’s last day on FS1’s “Undisputed” on June 14, 2023. Twitter
“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’.”
Shannon Sharpe thanked Skip Bayless after it was revealed his former TV sparring partner would be leaving FS1. Nightcap/YouTube
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.
“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.”
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