Shannon Sharpe Departs FS1’s Sports Talk Show ‘Undisputed’

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

NFL Hall-of-Famer offers emotional remarks after 7-year run with co-host Skip Bayless

Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe on FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ (Image credit: FS1)

NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe on Tuesday signed off from the long-running FS1 talk show Undisputed with co-host Skip Bayless, ending his seven-year run on the daily series.

Sharpe, who earlier this month reportedly reached a contract buyout agreement with Fox Sports, joined Bayless to create Skip and Shannon: Undisputed in 2016 after Bayless left ESPN’s First Take sports talk show with Stephen A. Smith. 

Despite occasional on-air friction between the two hosts over the years, Sharpe complimented Bayless in his departing remarks. “The opportunity you gave me to become what I became ... I’m forever indebted to you and I'll never forget what you did for me,” he said. “You’ve helped me grow more than you’ll ever know.” 

Fox Sports has not named a replacement for Sharpe on Undisputed. In a statement, the company said that Sharpe has been an “invaluable member of the show's success” along with Bayless since its launch. “We appreciate his dedication and are grateful for his contributions to Fox Sports,” Fox Sports said in the statement. “The Fox Sports family wishes Shannon the very best and we look forward to his next chapter.”

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.