Shannon Sharpe going to hit free agency in July, let the pocket-watching begin

[JordanWearinThe45]

Fox Sports management has an important strategic decision to make before the next football season — and not just about NFL media rights.

Shannon Sharpe’s current contract expires after July 2021, sources said. The question now is whether Fox will finally compensate the three-time Super Bowl winner similarly to his controversial “Undisputed” co-host Skip Bayless.

Sharpe only earns about half of Bayless’ annual salary, said sources. The Pro Football Hall of Famer makes an estimated $3 million-plus annually vs. around $6 million for Bayless, the reigning enfant terrible of morning sports TV.

Yet FS1 has given Sharpe co-billing with Bayless since day one on “Skip & Shannon: Undisputed.”

At a time when the country is wrestling with racial equality, Fox has an “incredible opportunity to make a statement,” said a source. “Give Shannon Sharpe a contract that is equal pay for equal work.”

Moderated by Jenny Taft, the debate show will celebrate its fifth anniversary as the linchpin of FS1’s studio show lineup in September. All three get up in the wee hours in Los Angeles to shoot “Undisputed,” which airs weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET, up against ESPN’s “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and Molly Qerim.

Fox's Shannon Sharpe Poised To Hit TV Free Agency This Summer

Says Skiyup gets $6m and Unc @ $3m right now, how much does FS1 reup with him for?

I’m thinking $4.5-5M

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

They'll figure out a way to reach a dollar amount that works for both parties. The money just won't be there in the open market if he decides to try elsewhere. Especially in the COVID-19 environment where television networks aren't trying to break the bank when it comes to sports analyst and negotiation of sporting rights looming.

$4.5-$5 million sounds about right though.

 

[MikelArteta]

brinks truck

 

[young3000]

If they don't bring Shannon back I wouldn't watch unless he got his own show.

 

[Ethnic Cleansing]

Is that why he started that Shay Shay podcast... as a bargaining chip??

 

[Da King]

Let’s see if all that tap dancing paid off for ol shay shay...

 

[inndaskKy]

Says Skiyup gets $6m and Unc @ $3m right now, how much does FS1 reup with him for?

I’m thinking $4.5-5M

They should give him 6.1 just to check My Turn's ego.

 

[goatmane]

i thought Skip was making Stephen A money

 

[jadillac]

Skip may be a troll but he put both Sas and Ss in position to be network stars. They both outshine him.

 

[Rell Lauren]

Is that why he started that Shay Shay podcast... as a bargaining chip??

It's an extra revenue stream for him. It's not popular enough to be used as leverage.

 

[Big Boss]

 

[L&HH]

Is that why he started that Shay Shay podcast... as a bargaining chip??

Doubtful. He likes talking and doing what he does so why not do it more and keep getting paid.

 

[Born2BKing]

Pay the man Fox!

 

[Jim Cornette]

He needs his own show ..
Talkin cowboys LeBron Brady everyday for the next 3 years gonna give him cte. Cos I know I already fukkin got it smh

 

[FTBS]

i thought Skip was making Stephen A money

He was. His deal was the biggest when he signed it. Then ESPN had to top it to bring back when his deal was up.