Shannon Sharpe New ESPN Deal Expands First Take Role and New Shows

After some personal outreach from Disney CEO Bob Iger, ESPN has inked NFL hall-of-famer Shannon Sharpe to a new, expanded multiyear deal. The new deal will expand Sharpe’s role on the morning show First Take, where he appears alongside Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim. Sharpe will also appear on other ESPN programs to be announced later. First Take has become arguably ESPN’s signature studio show, thanks in part to the takes and debates led by Smith and Sharpe. …