Shannon Sharpe. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

NFL Analyst Shannon Sharpe's Return To ESPN 'Not Guaranteed'

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated May 2, 2025 5:01 PM ET

In a statement announcing his intent to step away from his role at ESPN last month, Shannon Sharpe noted that he is "electing to step aside temporarily," and that he would be returning to the network at the start of the NFL preseason.

Sharpe intended to let fans know that this situation would be dealt with swiftly, clearing his name and getting him back on the air, but a new report indicates that things may not go that smoothly.

According to Outkick, Sharpe's return to ESPN is "no guarantee."

The publication notes that sources at ESPN believe that Sharpe is a difference maker when it comes to television ratings, but that his bad publicity and scandals may prove too much for ESPN and Disney to deal with in the coming months.

"He is emphatic that he is innocent of those things," said Stephen A. Smith about Sharpe on Thursday, in an appearance on the "BigBoyTV" podcast.

"But the court of public opinion is what the Disneys of the world and others concern themselves with. That’s a more immediate issue. And unfortunately, that has worked against him at this particular moment in time."

Smith said that, for what it's worth, he's choosing to believe Sharpe due to conversations that they've had with one another and the character he's seen Sharpe display in his presence.

Shannon Sharpe speaks onstage during the Nightcap Summer Sessions at Buckhead Theatre on August 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.Julia Beverly/Getty Images

“I know the brother tells me he’s innocent, I believe him," Smith said.

"I know that he does not trust easy, and that honest conversations that he’s had with me he wouldn’t have with just anybody."

Sharpe is one of the most notable and popular sports analysts in the world, and he's friends with a very influential figure in Smith. The first hurdle will be clearing his name legally, but there still may be questions about his public image after multiple scandals related to women over the last few years.

ESPN made the decision to take Sharpe off the air after days of speculation and gossip about his personal life. If that continues after his return, it's likely that the network will take a serious look at his future on the airwaves.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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