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Sports TV personality and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe is in early talks with FanDuel, the popular sports betting operator, according to Front Office Sports.
Following his departure from “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed,” where he co-hosted with Skip Bayless on FS1, Sharpe has been exploring various options and potential partnerships. FanDuel, in its quest to find new talent after losing Pat McAfee to ESPN, seems to be a frontrunner in securing Sharpe’s services.
Sources close to the negotiations tell Michael McCarthy of FOS, that Sharpe has been engaged in discussions about potentially joining the FanDuel TV platform.
At 54 years old, the NFL legend has been attracting interest from multiple suitors, and he is likely to have several lucrative options to consider before making a decision on his future endeavors.
One such option is an invitation from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to join his rotating team of guest debaters on the popular show “First Take.” Additionally, Pat McAfee, who recently joined ESPN, has expressed his desire to have Sharpe join the network as well.
A potential collaboration with FanDuel would be mutually beneficial for both parties. With the 2023 NFL season just a few months away, Sharpe recognizes the importance of capitalizing quickly.
Leveraging his immense popularity and credibility, he could also integrate his highly successful podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” which boasts an impressive following of 1.2 million listeners, into any new deal.
By joining FanDuelTV and its streaming app, FanDuel TV+, Sharpe would instantly become one of the platform’s biggest stars. FanDuel TV has already made several notable signings in the past year, including former NFL Network host Kay Adams and ex-ESPN anchor Michelle Beadle.
Sharpe is familiar with FanDuel, having attended their Super Bowl party earlier this year and publicly endorsing the brand on Instagram.
Meanwhile, FanDuel is eager to make a significant talent acquisition after losing Pat McAfee to ESPN. McAfee, known for his popular YouTube show, will bring his entertaining program to ESPN, following the lineup of Mike Greenberg’s “Get Up” and Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take.”
On FS1, Skip Bayless, who is 71 years old, is expected to oversee a series of auditions for a new debate partner. Several names have been mentioned as possible contenders, including ESPN’s Max Kellerman and FS1’s LeSean McCoy, Emmanuel Acho, Joy Taylor, and Nick Wright.
The search for a suitable replacement for Bayless’s morning debate show continues as the network aims to maintain its engaging and competitive programming.
As the negotiations between Shannon Sharpe and FanDuel progress, fans and industry insiders eagerly await the outcome, recognizing the potential impact it could have on both Sharpe’s career and FanDuel’s expanding sports media platform.
With Sharpe’s vibrant personality and deep knowledge of the game, any partnership he chooses is sure to excite fans and generate significant buzz in the sports world.