Skip Bayless has finally found someone to step into Shannon Sharpe‘s shoes. In recent months, the media world has seen big personalities leaving, either by choice or being abruptly let go, causing a lot of speculation. Among them, Sharpe’s departure was the most surprising, as he had been the face of sports for the better part of this decade. This left fans wondering who would take his place, and if the replacement could even be effective. Well, the wait is finally over!

Interestingly, the new sparring partner for Bayless, and the replacement for the former TE, already has a history with Bayless. With strong debates and some intense exchanges between them, the show seems to have found what it needed in the former cornerback, who famously roasted Bayless on live television.

Skip’s new sparring partner!

Nearly a decade after their famous clash, NFL Pro-Bowler Richard Sherman is stepping into Sharpe’s shoes. The former Super Bowl champ will appear on the show around 50-100 times, mainly during football season, while still being a part of his studio gig on Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football”. Although the contract isn’t inked yet, reports suggest the deal is sealed. FS1 is also reportedly interested in Keyshawn Johnson, sources say. This surprising move has sent shockwaves through the sports industry, creating high anticipation for the showdown between the co-hosts after their 2013 spat.

Just hours after Sherman’s announcement, an old clip resurfaced from when he appeared on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ a decade ago. In the clip, the fierce cornerback demands respect from Skip and insists he is called an All-Pro Stanford graduate, delivering a sharp jab at the host. Sherman asserts that Skip couldn’t achieve what he accomplished in just his second year in the NFL. Skip tries to defend his career achievements, while Sherman dubs the host irrelevant. The exchange goes back and forth until Sherman lands the final blow: “In my 24 years of life, I’m better at life than you.”

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This fresh announcement, coupled with the reemergence of the clip, has fans in the sports world buzzing with excitement. Some see this as a fitting replacement for Sharpe, while others fear it might crash and burn before seeing the light of day.

Shannon Sharpe’s next phase!

Despite his abrupt retirement, Sharpe has remained steadfast in his ventures, flourishing in his own podcast Club Shay Shay. There were also hints on social media about his return, then an intense rumor about him joining ESPN, the same media giant that saw a huge uplift in recent days. Renowned ESPN figure, Stephen A. Smith, confirmed this and shared that talks between the media giant and the former TE were ongoing. He even mentioned his own plan to have the former NFL star on his show if ESPN decides to hire him and if Sharpe is interested. While Smith initially considered Sharpe for a part-time role after his retirement announcement, it seems he might have had a change of heart.

Whether it’s Sharpe or Sherman, the deals aren’t finalized yet. These events are still unfolding in the weeks to come, and we’ll have to wait and see if they actually come to fruition. With Sherman potentially joining Undisputed, football fans are in for an interesting ride as the football season draws near.

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