Another former NFL player has emerged as a likely candidate to replace Shannon Sharpe on FS1’s Undisputed. Per The New York Post, there’s a good chance that former cornerback Richard Sherman sits across from Skip Bayless on the popular sports debate show.
FS1 has been searching for Sharpe’s replacement since he announced his departure earlier this summer. He had been on the program for seven years before the change.
Sherman has had no trouble speaking his mind — whether as a player or a commentator. That candidness makes him a strong candidate to join the fiery sports debate show with FS1.
Sherman played in the NFL from 2011-21, enjoying an 11-year career in the league. He spent most of that time with the Seattle Seahawks (2011-17) before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2018. The defensive back spent his final season in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It didn’t take Sherman long to break into the broadcasting industry after his career. In summer 2022, it was announced that the former NFL star would join the pre- and post-game crew for Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football coverage. He will continue to be part of that team in 2023, as well.
FS1 reportedly struggling to find co-host for Skip Bayless
Usually, television networks get these situations figured out pretty quickly. And, if they don’t, a show typically gets run off the air. But FS1 is trying everything to land an opposing commentator on Undisputed for Bayless.
Front Office Sports’ Mike McCarthy recently reported that the network has had more difficulty than expected trying to find a co-host for Bayless. Before Sherman’s name popped up, a few other candidates seemed like contenders for the job.
“But like many of Bayless’ statements, it’s not accurate, sources tell Front Office Sports,” McCarthy wrote. “There are plenty of potential Sharpe successors, ranging from the laid-off Keyshawn Johnson and Max Kellerman at ESPN to FS1 personalities LeSean McCoy, Nick Wright, Emmanuel Acho and Joy Taylor.
“But not many on-air talents want to take the hot seat opposite the domineering Bayless. To make matters worse, Bayless has the final say on everything internally at Undisputed.”
So, will it be Sherman? One of the other names mentioned by FOS? Or will a late candidate emerge to fill Sharpe’s role moving forward? It’s been an interesting situation for the network, one it hopes to get ironed out sometime in the very near future.
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