FIRST Take is heading to a new home next week.
ESPN’s flagship morning sports debate show is changing channels to accommodate coverage of top Wimbledon tennis.
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The London tournament is expected to dominate the network’s schedule over the next fortnight.
First Take usually airs every 10am ET after Get Up and just before The Pat McAfee Show at noon.
In it, lead analyst Stephen A. Smith debates a range of guests across all sports, with host Molly Qerim moderating.
This week, First Take is on the backburner and will air in its usual time slot on ESPN 2.
The same goes for ESPN’s usual morning shows, which have been moved to its sister channel.
Wimbledon starts on July 1st and takes place over the next fortnight in the English capital.
ESPN holds the rights to show the annual All-England Club competition at SW19.
The network will air live tennis coverage every weekday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
First Take began in 2007 and ran for ten years, originally on ESPN 2.
It moved to ESPN’s main channel in 2017 and became one of the network’s most successful debate shows.
Qerim has anchored First Take since 2015, with Stephen A. joined by Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe last September.
Sharpe signed a lucrative new contract with ESPN after helping to “skyrocket” ratings since his arrival.
The multi-year deal will see his work on First Take and ESPN programming increase.
“You were a great addition to the show,” Stephen A. told Sharpe on a recent broadcast.
“Our friendship has developed and grown over the last few months. I have a lot of love, a lot of respect for you.
Shannon Sharpe’s playing career
Shannon Sharpe was a three-time Super Bowl champion before his career in heavy media.
The former tight end played in the NFL from 1990 to 2003 – mainly for the Denver Broncos.
He was part of the 1998 and 1999 Super Bowl championship teams, as well as the 2001 Baltimore Ravens title-winning team.
Sharpe was an eight-time Pro Bowler and voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He finished with 10,060 yards on 815 receptions and 62 touchdowns.
The former NFL star has had an equally strong career on television screens since retiring.
“You bring it up all the time. I am indebted to the work you did on this program and the relationship we cultivated together.”
“Stephen A., I know this moment is not possible without you,” Shannon responded.
“As you mentioned before, you have bosses, but you extended the olive branch and told them you wanted me to be part of this family.”
Sharpe’s new deal with ESPN commits him to the network for the next four years, per Atlético.
Meanwhile, Smith’s own salary demands caused tensions at First Take to soar to an all-time high, sources told The US Sun.
According to one of the sources, Smith, whose current contract expires in 2025, wants about $25 million, making him the network’s highest-paid commentator.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
