Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Fox Sports personality Shannon Sharpe is reportedly set to leave the network after the NBA Finals, and it was a breakup that many saw coming.
For the past seven years, Sharpe has sparred alongside Skip Bayless in manufactured sports debate on FS1’s Undisputed. But in recent months especially, Bayless’ tendency to get personal with his arguments and interrupt Sharpe has taken a toll on the former NFL player. According to the New York Post, Sharpe finally reached a buyout agreement with Fox this week.
The exit seemed inevitable ever since Sharpe skipped out on Undisputed in response to a tasteless tweet from Bayless about Damar Hamlin’s injury. But many fans are seeing an earlier tipping point in that professional relationship. Back in December, Sharpe was genuinely upset after Bayless took personal shots at him in order to defend Tom Brady.
This was the moment Shannon sharpe knew he was leaving Undisputed pic.twitter.com/XD0S42XNMI
— Sam Yeezy (@samstaydipped) June 1, 2023
At one point during the lively argument, Bayless nearly cursed on air as he told Sharpe to put his glasses back on.
To have that happen just a few weeks before the Hamlin injury and subsequent on-set drama, it couldn’t have been ideal for Sharpe who had worked alongside Bayless since 2016.
When that Brady segment went viral on Twitter Wednesday night, many fans were quick to blame that as the real reason for Sharpe’s exit.
This was how Twitter reacted
You can be firm in a belief, without disrespecting someone else.
You do not need to tear down others, to set someone else higher on a pedestal. https://t.co/XlIJX1IEY4
— Lawrence Owen (@Colts_Law) June 1, 2023
Imma be honest… i don’t understand how skip has been able to exist in this space https://t.co/SSH0ydH2Yv
— Hi I’m Solomon (@solomonmissouri) June 1, 2023
This was the very moment and skips take on the Damar Hamlin situation put the icing on the cake! https://t.co/2EHmgpOqpd
— FLASHGRFX (@Flashgrfx_) June 1, 2023
I would’ve been heated but “put your fff glasses back on” would’ve kept me off tv forever lol https://t.co/dzdtoM5CKh
— DeWon (@MaQboney) June 1, 2023
I hope skip apologized for this and it was all for ratings because man, this was bad. https://t.co/CtNVjCjPDk
— Vincent 🔅 (@VincentKeyes1) June 1, 2023
This was extremely disrespectful to a HOF & 3 time SuperBowl champion. Glad he’s out. https://t.co/pkok6SXoC0
— Lebo (@leboranks) June 1, 2023
Most definitely, and the way his podcast is going he knew it was time to go. https://t.co/T7HP8svlRi
— Lenny Destefano (@RedRogers15) June 1, 2023
I know Shannon’s blood was boiling. That finger point at the end…little man please!!! There’s so much wrong in this short portion of their debate. https://t.co/m6kmPx7Y4d
— Megan Rivers (@MegMRivers) June 1, 2023
Shannon probably called his agent after this and said "get me out of this contract". https://t.co/qnuacgCsM6
— Brian T. Jones, Sr. (@BJonesSports) June 1, 2023
it's a business decision but i believe this played a factor https://t.co/Yaw0scAdMM
— the name is bond. michael bond (@michaelis4real) June 1, 2023
When he took the glasses off. Thats when I know Skip messed up. How you telling a 3 time champion and HOFer he is jealous because he criticised someone and did his job https://t.co/Iwxmo0fV3e
— Sam Akinwumi (@OneNameSam) June 1, 2023
nah this was legit super disrespectful https://t.co/7IylJGgaX2
— Soundwave (@LocalSoundwave) June 1, 2023
