Stephen A. Smith has officially addressed the legal drama surrounding his “First Take” co-host, Shannon Sharpe, and he made it clear he’s not ducking the conversation. On his personal YouTube show, Smith revealed he had direct conversations with ESPN and Disney executives, including co-chairman Jimmy Pitaro, about the $50 million lawsuit Sharpe is facing.
“I Recruited Shannon… But I’m Not the Boss”: Stephen A. Smith Clarifies His Role
Smith made sure folks knew the chain of command. “I recruited Shannon… but I’m not the boss,” he said. Smith recounted that Sharpe joined ESPN from Fox Sports in June 2023, but emphasized that his influence only goes so far within the Disney-owned company.
He then dropped the name of Disney co-chairman Jimmy Pitaro, confirming he got permission to publicly quote him: “I can tell you I also spoke to co-chairman of Disney, the boss, Jimmy Pitaro, who made it very, very clear that [ESPN is] taking this matter very seriously and we are looking into this very, very closely and once we gather as many facts as we possibly can, we will go from there.”
Smith added, “And that is all he said. And I can mention his name because I received his permission to say that. I don’t know what that means.”
Smith: “It Ain’t My Call—That’s Up to the Higher-Ups”
Though Smith is one of the most recognizable voices in sports media, he humbly acknowledged that decisions about Sharpe’s future are out of his hands. “I have no idea what direction ESPN and Disney will go in when it comes to this matter,” he stated. “All I do know is I won’t be me making the decision. It will be others upstairs.”
He continued, “In the end, all of us have someone to answer to. No matter how maverick we try to be and we own our own business… there are bosses. That’s the situation that unfortunately Shannon Sharpe finds himself in at this particular moment in time.”
That moment of real talk hit especially hard for those who’ve followed both men’s rise in the sports media world. Smith spoke as a peer who knows the game, not just an anchor reading from a script.
Sharpe Called It A “Shakedown”—Smith Said He Was There When It All Unfolded
Stephen A. shared that he spoke directly to Sharpe, who wasted no time proclaiming his innocence. “He was emphatic in stating his innocence, that this is a shakedown,” Smith said, referencing Sharpe’s Instagram video released earlier this week.
The legal heat came fast, but according to Smith, Sharpe didn’t flinch. In the video and through his lawyer, Sharpe has strongly denied the accusations, labeling them a calculated attack on his character.
“He was on national television with me Sunday night when the story came out,” Smith added. “I didn’t know anything about it until we got off the air. But he was on the air.”
And that’s part of what makes this moment even more layered. Sharpe appeared composed, working live on air while that lawsuit news broke behind the scenes. It’s a real reminder of how fast public figures have to pivot when controversy erupts.
What’s Next? The Ball’s In Disney’s Court
So what comes next for Shannon Sharpe? That’s a question only ESPN and Disney can answer. As Smith made clear, he has influence, but he’s not in the driver’s seat on this one.
Right now, it’s all about the facts. That’s the line both Smith and Disney seem to be sticking to. It’s a wait-and-see moment—but one the public is watching closely. With Sharpe continuing to appear on “First Take” twice a week, the pressure on the network to make a decision will only grow.
For now, both men are still doing what they do best—holding court on TV and speaking their truth, however uncomfortable the spotlight may be.