Shannon Sharpe’s accidental Instagram Live session that caught him at an intimate moment is still the talk of the town, especially with theories that this was no accident. Regardless, all of that fell under the rug once ESPN announced that they would not punish him for this incident. This raised a lot of eyebrows since the organization fired Paul Pierce in 2021 for going on IG Live with scantily clad women and what appeared to be marijuana. Some social media users think that this is a clear case of double standards, whereas others think that intent versus accident is a key differentiating factor. Wherever you stand, check out more diverse reactions in the post below.
Furthermore, a lot of other pop culture figures are speaking on this whole Shannon Sharpe incident, including some recent advice from Kai Cenat. “Hey, Shannon, stop being so freaky, bro,” the streamer said during Sharpe’s “roast” on the Nightcap podcast alongside Ochocinco, Snoop Dogg, Cam Newton, and more. “Next time, put your phone all the way in the next room, alright? Before you get that p***y, bro, put the phone in the next room, okay?”
“I’m very disappointed in myself I let a lot of people down,” Shannon Sharpe said of the incident, positing that it was unintentional and speaking on his embarrassment. “My kids, I reached out to them. I called my sister, my friends obviously reached out. […] I came in, threw my phone on the bed. And then engaged in an activity. […] I don’t know how [Instagram Live] works,” he added, explaining that this is the first time that he’s ever gone Live.
Amid the many reactions to Shannon Sharpe’s incident, Rick Ross’ roast was among the funniest. “Ayo, Shannon Sharpe,” he teased. “We forgive you ’cause we know you old n***as don’t know how to work that technology. You was vibing with your little shone last night. You were trying to film it and when you tried to sit that motherf***er down on that little dresser, that motherf***er went live.” We’ll see what other jokes, developments, and debates emerge concerning this situation and ESPN‘s controversial response.
Yesterday, Shannon Sharpe left fans shocked and confused when he went live on Instagram while having sex. Nothing could be seen, but the audio said it all, and he quickly hopped online to claim he’d been hacked. “Beware my @shannonsharpe84 Instagram was hacked this morning, my team and I are working vigorously to figure this out — UNC,” he wrote at the time.
Of course, most social media users didn’t buy this and figured he’d actually just gone live by accident. Sharpe admitted this on Nightcap last night, describing how embarrassed he was by the unfortunate mishap. “Obviously I am embarrassed. Someone that is extremely, extremely private and to have one of your most intimate details — the audio — heard for the entire world to hear, I’m embarrassed for a number of reasons,” he said.
ESPN Will Not Discipline Shannon Sharpe Over IG Live Mishap, TMZ Sports Reports
“There are a lot of people that count on Shannon to be professional at all times and I always try to be professional at all times, even when I’m behind closed doors,” he continued. “I’m very disappointed in myself, not for the act. I think there are millions and billions of people of consenting age that engage in activities, but for the audio to be heard I’m disappointed in myself. I let a lot of people down.” Sharpe added that the mishap occurred when he threw his phone on the bed. According to him, he doesn’t know how the feature works.
Luckily for Sharpe, however, he will not be facing disciplinary action from ESPN for the debacle. TMZ Sports reports that he’ll be back to his normal duties on Monday and that no punishment is coming his way. What do you think of Shannon Sharpe’s Instagram Live sex stream? What about him not facing disciplinary action from ESPN for it? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
ESPN has announced that global superstar J Balvin will curate music for select ESPN Monday Night Football games throughout the 2024-25 NFL season. The curated tracks will feature in Monday Night Football promotional spots, live telecasts, and Monday Night Countdown for seven weeks, including two NFL Playoff weeks.
The curation schedule, subject to change, includes key matchups such as the New York Jets at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5, Buffalo Bills at New York Jets in Week 6, and Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys in Week 11. Additionally, J Balvin will curate music for Week 18’s doubleheader, the Monday Night Super Wild Card, and the Divisional round.
“J Balvin is a global icon whose influence hits with diverse cultures and genres,” said Curtis Friends, ESPN Vice President of Sports Marketing. His selections are set to capture the excitement of the football season.
J Balvin will kick off the collaboration with his new song “DOBLEXXO” featuring Feid, from his latest album, ‘RAYO,’ released on August 9. The track will feature in ESPN’s Week 1 Monday Night Football promotions.
J Balvin follows in the footsteps of previous curators, including Timbaland & Justin Timberlake, Marshmello, Drake, DJ Khaled, and Diplo, continuing ESPN’s innovative music strategy for Monday Night Football.
The 2024-25 NFL season is due to start next Thursday, September 5, when the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens. The game will be broadcast on NBC. ESPN will handle the final Week 1 game between the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers — the season’s first Monday Night Football matchup.
It will double as J Balvin’s first of seven curated Monday Night Football broadcasts.
On Thursday, August 29, ESPN announced that J Balvin “will work with ESPN throughout the 2024-25 NFL season to curate music for select ESPN Monday Night Football games,” as per a press release.
The release continues, “The curated music from J Balvin will run in Monday Night Football promotional spots, live telecasts, and Monday Night Countdown for seven weeks this season, inclusive of two NFL Playoffs weeks.”
It all begins with “Doblexxó” featuring Feid (a recent Uproxx “Best New Pop Music From This Week” selection) from Balvin’s freshly released RAYO.
Below, check out Balvin’s full ESPN curation schedule, with the note that it is subject to change.
Week 1: New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers on Monday, September 9 Week 5: New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, October 7 Week 6: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets on Monday, October 14 Week 11: Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys on Monday, November 18 Week 18 Doubleheader: TBD Monday Night Super Wild Card: TBD Divisional: TBD
The USTA and ESPN announced a multi-layered collaboration with Alicia Keys’ Broadway Musical Hell’s Kitchen, that will see the music of this show cascade across channels and platforms over the three weeks of the US Open.
Key among this collaboration will be the utilization of a custom remix of the song, “Kaleidoscope,” from Keys’ 13-time Tony-nominated musical, created for this year’s event. This remix will be featured in the US Open Manifesto Video, produced by longtime production partner Boomshot, and debut on Opening Night of the Main Draw, August 26. It will also be seen on broadcast, both on ESPN in the U.S. and in more than 200 countries across the globe, and in Arthur Ashe Stadium and the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center throughout the course of the two weeks of the Main Draw, through September 8. The Manifesto Video is narrated by the 2024 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Hell’s Kitchen, Kecia Lewis. In addition, two-time Tony nominee and GRAMMY-nominated actress Shoshana Bean, who also stars in Hell’s Kitchen, will perform the National Anthem on Opening night.
In addition to the manifesto video, ESPN will leverage the custom Kaleidoscope remix and footage from the USTA shoot featuring bucket drummers shot throughout New York City and on court in Arthur Ashe Stadium for their promotional campaign to drive tune-in of the 2024 US Open. ESPN Marketing is also using featured VO from Hell’s Kitchen actress Tony Award winner Kecia Lewis in the campaign.
Partnering with Hell’s Kitchen falls directly in line with both the 2024 US Open’s marketing campaign, “Spectacular Awaits” and theme, “Celebrating the Power of Tennis.” The USTA has made a concerted effort to reach new and different audiences with the goal of growing interest and increasing accessibility to the sport, which provides unparalleled health and wellness benefits.
The ESPN Marketing promotional campaign will launch on August 20 and will run across all linear, digital, social platforms through the 2024 US Open. The Kaleidoscope track will be integrated into ESPN Production through the tournament as well.
“Creating a breakthrough musical collaboration is a concept that we are incredibly excited to make a reality for the 2024 US Open,” said Nicole Kankam, Managing Director, Pro Tennis Marketing and Entertainment. “The ability to do so in partnership with ESPN, to truly extend this across broadcast and in-event at the US Open, is an amazing opportunity. And, to be able to feature the music of Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen, perfectly reflects the New York vibe and feel of our event.”
“We are thrilled to bring this unique collaboration to life for the 2024 US Open, said Rachel Epstein, VP Marketing, Live Sports and Audience Expansion, ESPN. “Collaborating with the USTA and the Hell’s Kitchen team to integrate ‘Kaleidoscope’ into our marketing efforts and broadcast allows us to elevate and celebrate all that is so powerful about the US Open – the electric tournament experience, the world-class tennis, and the unmatched vibrancy of the US Open’s home, New York City.”
“We are so excited to have the opportunity to team up with two iconic, landmark New York institutions, The US Open and Broadway in a first of its kind partnership,” said Alicia Keys, Lead Producer, Hell’s Kitchen.. “We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the USTA and ESPN under the shared goal of reaching and inspiring new audiences and using the music of Hell’s Kitchen to create connections and celebrate the 2024 tournament.” Hell’s Kitchen is currently playing at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre (225 West 45th Street) featuring a “powerhouse cast” (Variety) led by Tony Award® nominee Shoshana Bean, Tony Award® nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Tony Award® winner Kecia Lewis, Chris Lee andTony Award® winner Maleah Joi Moon. HELL’S KITCHEN is directed by four-time Tony Award® nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by four-time Tony Award® nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award® nominee Kristoffer Diaz – and the music of AliciaKeys, featuring new songs and her greatest hits.Tickets for Hell’s Kitchen are available at HellsKitchen.com and Telecharge.com and can also be purchased at the Shubert Theatre box office.
The US Open, a three-week celebration of tennis, kicks off with US Open Fan Week, which begins Monday, Aug. 19 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 25, during which the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are free and open to the public. Fan Week includes the US Open Qualifying Tournament and numerous other events and activities. The Main Draw will take place beginning on Monday, Aug. 26, concluding with the Women’s Singles Final on Saturday, Sept. 7, and the Men’s Singles Final on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Stephen A. Smith spoke about Skip Bayless’s FS1 departure on the latest episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show. He addressed a few things, including the current state of their relationship and the impact that Bayless had on Smith’s own career.
Stephen A. and Skip have not spoken in “a while,” per Smith’s podcast comments. “He’s on that side, and I’m on this side,” he said. However, he does not believe that Bayless will retire, nor does he believe that Undisputed was unsuccessful for Bayless because of how it ended. “He ain’t some 30-year-old that flopped after one year. He’s been doing it for over 40. And he’s transitioned and transcended throughout the years.” Smith was also grateful to Bayless for helping push his media career into what it’s become.
Stephen A. Smith Reacts To Skip Bayless Leaving FS1
Of course, fans fondly remember the Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless era of First Take, which started in 2012 amidst sagging ratings for the program. Smith replaced Jay Crawford, who transitioned to host SportsCenter. The program solidified the television career of Stephen A. Smith, who did not have a consistent role with ESPN until Bayless asked Smith to sign on. Their debates became famous among sports fans, as Bayless finally found a dance partner who could match his energy. When Bayless left ESPN in 2016, Smith developed into the face of First Take, and by proxy, ESPN.
Stephen A. and former Skip Bayless co-host Shannon Sharpe work together on First Take now. Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday afternoon that ESPN had no interest in bringing Bayless back to the network. Sharpe and Bayless’s relationship ended acrimoniously, after a series of increasingly disrespectful comments that culminated with Bayless downplaying Sharpe’s own Hall of Fame football career to prop up Tom Brady’s. Smith said he did not want to speak for Sharpe, but added that Sharpe told him that he “refused to let six years be ruined by six months.” Smith and Sharpe do not appear to have any ill will towards Bayless. Bayless’s FS1 exit will be an interesting one, as he is 73 years old and not the personality he once was. Stephen A. Smith wishes him well.
Skip Bayless was one of the biggest draws in sports media just a few years ago. Overall, he was a huge reason for First Take’s early success. As the inventor of the show, Bayless is largely the catalyst for the media landscape we have today, for better or for worse (largely for worse). Skip knew that people love conflict. It’s why news ratings are always higher during times of war, crisis, or natural disaster. Although sports are a whole different beast, conflict is the centerpiece of any athletic competition. Two teams or a group of individuals are fighting for the one thing that the other can’t have. In a stroke of genius, Bayless was able to bring that conflict to sports talk television.
When Skip Bayless brought Stephen A. Smith to First Take, the show was in dire straits. While Bayless was captivating enough with his outlandish hot takes, he couldn’t find a co-host as brazen as himself. That’s where Stephen A. comes in. At the time, Smith had been ousted from ESPN due to what he describes as creative differences and perhaps even some interpersonal ones. There were network people who didn’t take kindly to Smith. However, Bayless couldn’t have cared less. He knew he got along with Stephen A. and had a hunch that bringing him in would boost ratings. In the end, Smith’s arrival did more than just boost ratings.
The show got a whole lot of flack from athletes, coaches, and general managers alike, yet the program was a ratings masterclass for ESPN. It immediately became the biggest show on the network and while ESPN didn’t love this, they couldn’t say no to a cash cow, especially with streaming on the horizon. Bayless and Smith were a match made in heaven. Bayless was always trying to goad a reaction out of Stephen A. and Smith would always give him what he wanted. This subsequently led to numerous iconic moments that have fans feeling nostalgic for the LeBron Miami Heat era of sports discourse.
By the time Skip left ESPN for a larger salary at FS1, Smith was arguably a much bigger star than he was. However, his hatred for LeBron and his hilariously misinformed takes were still enough to garner viewers. Not to mention, Bayless has a great ability to spot talent, and recruiting Shannon Sharpe was the best thing he could have done. They had immediate chemistry, and somehow, they were able to keep up with First Take, despite the latter being significantly more established.
It was a slow build for sure, but by 2019, it felt like Undisputed was a better product. Shannon and Skip were going viral every day and their chemistry was off the charts. “Drip Bayless” had become a household nickname and they were doing everything right. However, once the pandemic hit, it’s like Skip hit the curmudgeon button and never stopped pressing down on it. His disrespect towards Sharpe became apparent. Every month, Skip and Shannon were becoming more like an old married couple than an actual partnership.
Subsequently, everything went to hell when Skip told Sharpe he was jealous of Tom Brady. It led to a loud exchange that many felt had Sharpe appearing weak. Then the Damar Hamlin incident happened and the writing was on the wall. Sharpe left for First Take and Skip was left to pick up the pieces he created.
As we pointed out in our previous piece on Skip Bayless, Undisputed became a dumpster fire following Sharpe’s departure. Keyshawn Johnson, Richard Sherman, and Michael Irvin came in to be Skip’s rotating co-hosts. However, whenever they started debating, Bayless could not get a word in edge-wise. The show was more frustrating than entertaining. Not to mention, Bayless’ schtick was no longer funny after he bullied Sharpe off the show. What once was a humorous character and villain within the sports world had become a crotchety, bitter, and downright nasty old man. Pair that with the bleach and ammonia chemistry of Johnson and Sherman, you were left with a horrific show.
Months ago, Paul Pierce was brought in as a means to save Skip Bayless from himself. After all, this should have been perfect since they both have a strong disdain for LeBron James. However, Pierce has not been great for the show. The ratings have remained in a steep decline and Pierce has proven to be less than prepared to speak about today’s NBA. If we wanted to relive the glory days of the 2008 Boston Celtics, we could just look up highlights on YouTube in our own time.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: ESPN journalist Skip Bayless attends IAVA 7th Annual Heroes Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on November 12, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for IAVA)
After breaking all of this down, it has become crystal clear that Skip Bayless needs to retire when his contract expires. Don’t be a hero, and certainly don’t be an egomaniac either. It’s over. It was a fun ride, but it’s over. 10 years ago, hell, even five years ago, there was a real appetite for LeBron revisionism and LeBron contrarianism. However, James is a few years from retirement, and how fitting would that be for his biggest hater to ride off into the sunset before the farewell tour?
Beyond that, Skip has simply worn out his welcome in the industry. While Stephen A. has burned bridges, he has burned them with people who realistically wouldn’t have been stars without him. If Max Kellerman was a real superstar, he wouldn’t have needed First Take. It turns out he did. Sharpe, on the other hand, immediately left Skip and started exploding with Club Shay Shay. Shannon is a pop culture staple right now and that probably wouldn’t be the case if he was still at FS1.
Cold Pizza host Skip Bayless on the ESPN set in Miami, Florida on February 1, 2007. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Sure, Skip’s eye for talent is immense. But will the next big talent even want to work with him after how he treated Shannon? Without ESPN or FS1, where would Skip even go? Who would want to follow him there? The media landscape is so disjointed and barren that the only real avenue for Skip would be his own podcast. But why bother? It would just be him reliving stories from the glory days. No athlete wants to chop it up with Skip. And if they do, it will immediately be confrontational, which is something Bayless has proven to be firmly against.
At the age of 72, Bayless could just retire, call it a career, and leave it all behind. At this point, it’s probably what he should do. In fact, it is what he should do. Sure, a couple of LeBron and Bronny tweets here and there might make us chuckle or get nostalgic for those classic rants. But other than that, Skip isn’t contributing anything new to sports talk television. If anything, he’s holding back a younger generation from revolutionizing the groundwork he laid all those years ago in Bristol, Connecticut.
Skip Bayless will reportedly not be getting invited back into the ESPN fold this summer, according to Front Office Sports. Bayless departs FS1 later this summer, with the date of his final Undisputed show not set yet. Co-host Shannon Sharpe left after the 2023 NBA Finals. Sharpe went to ESPN, where he quickly found success as Stephen A. Smith’s debate partner during the NFL season. His departure from FS1 also allowed him to build his media profile outside of TV appearances, with his Club Shay Shay podcast becoming one of the biggest weekly podcasts on YouTube. Bayless can now follow a similar exit plan.
From the moment FS1 announced that Skip Bayless was leaving their network, he was linked to an ESPN reunion. He left the network in 2016 after nearly three decades. He helped pioneer the sports debate show as a panelist on the Dick Schaap-hosted show The Sports Reporters in 1989, and again with Cold Pizza and First Take in the 2000s. The latter launched the television career of Stephen A. Smith, who’s since developed into the face of ESPN and recently asked for a contract extension that makes him one of the highest-paid personalities in all of journalism.
Skip Bayless Is Not Reuniting With ESPN
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 28: Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless attend the The Paley Center for Media 2014 Spring Benefit Dinner at 583 Park Avenue on May 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic)
Skip Bayless’s departure from FS1 comes after years of declining ratings for Undisputed. The ratings only got worse when Shannon Sharpe exited the network last year. FS1 attempted to change the format of the show by bringing in a rotating cast of characters, but the ratings still sagged. Fans have long called Bayless’s gimmick outdated. He built part of his career around criticism of players. His most infamous target is LeBron James, who has never publicly responded to any of Bayless’s critiques. That type of hot take content makes for good social media posts. However, it is not what all fans want to see, which is why LeBron James and JJ Redick’s own Mind The Game podcast performed so well in its brief run.
Skip Bayless is also reportedly not on the best of terms with both Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe. Though he did his part in helping to grow their media careers, they have both surpassed him, and now they work together on ESPN’s flagship show. Adding a third man who both stars of the most popular show on the network have personal issues with is a risk that most networks would be unwilling to take, and ESPN appears to be uninterested in rocking the boat.
Stephen A Smith is easily the biggest name in sports media. Overall, he is someone who has completely taken ESPN by storm. In the eyes of many, he is the main star of the network. Without Smith, ESPN would be struggling right now. After all, their best show in terms of ratings is none other than First Take. It is a show that brings in tens of millions of dollars each year. At the end of the day, that makes Smith a huge breadwinner for the company, and Smith is ready to be rewarded for it.
According to reports, Smith is currently in contract negotiations with ESPN. As it stands, Smith is looking for $25 million per year. However, ESPN is only offering him $18 million at the moment. This is almost 30 percent less than his asking price. Smith has demonstrated a desire to become a late-night host, or perhaps even a political commentator. These avenues could make him a lot more money and it remains up in the air if he would even stay at ESPN for $25 million.
Stephen A. Smith now wants $25M annually from ESPN, per @Ourand_Puck
ESPN is offering $18M
“ESPN and Pitaro have put an $18 million-per-year offer in front of their generational star. It’s an insane amount of dough for a TV personality… but it still might not be enough.” … pic.twitter.com/mmrNvbyzHQ
Of course, with this news hitting the internet, fans got into a debate about whether or not Smith is actually worth this kind of money. Overall, many agreed that he actually is. However, others said that the host was out of his mind for demanding $25 million. At the end of the day, it is up to ESPN to decide how much they are willing to spend. If they hope to keep First Take going, then they will need Stephen A Smith on their roster.
Fans React
Let us know what you think of the salary demands from Stephen A Smith, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that this is too much money for the man to ask for? Or do you think that Smith is well worth the investment? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite athletes and personalities.
ESPN burning money. They could spend that 20 million across like 20 different people and make that place infinitely better and more knowledgeable https://t.co/Q4U4C2Ap1w
ESPN has partnered with October’s Very Own (OVO) to release a limited-edition run of NBA Finals jackets, available exclusively through the OVO app. This collaboration marks a unique blend of sports and fashion, capturing the excitement of the NBA’s grand finale.
The jackets will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 6. U.S. residents can snag this exclusive apparel through the OVO app, downloadable from both the App Store and Google Play. Given the limited quantity, fans are encouraged to act quickly, as these jackets are expected to sell out fast.
Featuring the iconic ESPN and OVO logos prominently on the back, these jackets symbolize the intersection of sports and fashion, celebrating the NBA’s biggest stage. The release of these jackets coincides with the highly anticipated NBA Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, airing at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC beginning June 6.
This collaboration is a testament to the growing influence of fashion in the sports world, offering fans a stylish way to commemorate the finale of another thrilling NBA season. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or a fashion enthusiast, the ESPN x OVO NBA Finals jacket is a must-have piece for your collection.
… 
. Even them offering 18 is a lot.
| ATX REALTOR® (@thejoeyway) 
