Stephen A. Smith is making it clear that his recent reunion with Skip Bayless is not the only comeback he hopes to see at ESPN.
Days after Bayless returned to First Take, Smith opened up about another former colleague he believes still belongs on the network: Shannon Sharpe.
Speaking on the Out The Mud podcast, Smith admitted he has already shared those feelings internally at ESPN.
“I’m always going to want him back,” Smith said. “The company knows I want him back.”
Sharpe exited ESPN in 2025 after sexual assault allegations surfaced against him. The former NFL star denied the claims, and a settlement was eventually reached before reports later stated the network had cut ties with him.
“He was great for me. He was great to me,” Smith said. “He was great for the show.”
Smith also acknowledged that any decision regarding Sharpe’s future ultimately rests with network executives rather than him.
“I have bosses to answer to,” he explained. “They have to make that decision.”
Sharpe, meanwhile, has publicly stated he would welcome the opportunity to return to ESPN if asked.
“I would love to go back if they were to call,” Sharpe said earlier this year. “I’m more than willing, I’m more than capable.”
Should ESPN welcome him back?
Shannon Sharpe Thanks Stephen A Smith for not switching up on him pic.twitter.com/4aE2WPOiis
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) February 6, 2026
