Shannon Sharpe Fuels ESPN Speculation With Cryptic Tweets

Sharpe took to social media to drop a hint about his future amid rumored links to ESPN.

Following Shannon Sharpe’s departure from his seat as Skip Bayless’s co-host on FS1’s Undisputed, the former star tight end has been linked with a possible move to ESPN.

Sharpe has spoken with ESPN about potentially joining the network in a “contributor” role, according to Michael McCarthy and A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports. The report indicates Sharpe could wind up joining Stephen A. Smith on First Take. 

Sharpe further fueled the speculation on Wednesday when he responded to a tweet from Smith. 

The First Take host had quote tweeted a post about the report from Front Office Sports, and Sharpe added to the conversation with a cryptic reply.

“I’ll be addressing all the things I need to address,” Smith said in part of his tweet. 

“Whatcha addressing on Fri? I’ve got some free time so feel free 2 FT me b4 my meetings,” Sharpe wrote in response, followed by a plethora of popcorn emojis.

Whatcha addressing on Fri? I’ve got some free time so feel free 2 FT me b4 my meetings. 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 https://t.co/D3fdEvJHTm

— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) July 19, 2023

Sharpe’s final appearance on Undisputed aired June 13. He’d been a co-star on the program alongside Bayless since its debut in 2016. 

Bayless, of course, had previously been Smith’s co-host on First Take.

Front Office Sports indicates Sharpe isn’t expected to make a decision on his next steps until August after reviewing his options from several potential suitors.