Sharpe’s Impact Propels ‘First Take’ to Soaring Viewership in Just Six Weeks

quote:

---

Stephen A. Smith’s recruitment of Shannon Sharpe to ESPN is shaping to be one of the biggest sports media talent coups in years.

After being courted by Smith, Sharpe joined “First Take” on a part-time basis on Sep. 4. But in only six weeks on the air, the Pro Football Hall of Famer has already co-starred in three of the four most-watched “First Take” episodes this year, said sources.

Monday’s top-rated “First Take” edition with Smith, Sharpe, and Molly Qerim drew 852,000 viewers.

That’s behind only the 892,000 viewers who tuned in to “First Take” the morning after Damar Hamlin’s on-field heart attack on Jan. 2.

And nearly five times the 172,000 viewers for Skip Bayless’ “Undisputed” on Monday.

---