THE battle to become Stephen A. Smith’s best pal on First Take is beginning to get out of control, two sources on the show have told The U.S. Sun.
The well-placed insiders insist Shannon Sharpe, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, and Jason McCourty’s desperation to become Stephen A. Smith’s “number one lieutenant” has seen frustrations reach boiling point.
Stephen A. Smith has been with ESPN over 20 years and is targeting a huge pay rise[/caption]
Smith has appeared alongside Shannon Sharpe (pictured) on First Take since September 2023[/caption]
Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo appears on the popular sports debate show every Wednesday[/caption]
As Stephen A.‘s influence grows, battles raging backstage between the co-hosts, who are desperate to become the main man’s best pal, ensue.
The insider says employees have witnessed a “battle” between Sharpe, Russo, and newcomer McCourty.
There are now escalating fears that their behavior is getting out of hand and affecting the crew on the popular ESPN show.
“It’s getting to a point where things are so tense, but also quite ridiculous, and those guys are a joke,” a journalist on the show told The U.S. Sun.
The insider said that Sharpe and Russo believe they are the natural No 2’s to loudmouth Smith in what has become a “competition.”
But McCourty wants to “change that dynamic” on First Take and become the “vice president.”
The situation has been described as “childish and ridiculous,” and other crew members look on with increasing incredulity.
The U.S. Sun has extensively reported on increasing anger between the leading talent and crew members, with Stephen A’s push for a $25 million per year contract extension going down like a lead balloon.
Now, the situation has taken a turn for the worse.
“The other day, one of them brought him donuts for breakfast; the next day, another one brought a box of chocolates, and the day after that, the third one took him for dinner,” continued the flabbergasted source.
According to the insider, a similar pattern of events continued the following week, with Smith being given a new shirt, a pair of shoes, and even a suit.
“There is no shame,” said the source, keen to stress that the fierce battle for affection clearly illustrates Stephen A.’s position of dominance.
“All of us are fed up,” he continued.
“Divide and divide again, to conquer and reign, that is how it’s going,” the source continued.
Jason McCourty joined First Take earlier this summer[/caption]
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
The intense desperation to get close to the leading man is angering everyone.
One production team member described the trio as the “best shoe shiners” in the studio.
“They would do anything in their power to have him feel good and be his favorite buddy, his main man on the show,” he claimed before admitting the trio have been dubbed The Three Sad Buffoons.
“Each of them do things, say things to be Stephen A.’s main guy, even if it is to criticize each other and talk to Stephen A. about how good he is and what a great leader he’s become.”
Some have even compared them to the legendary NBA title-winning duo of Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan.
“The three guys are just a bunch of Scottie Pippen’s battling for a seat right next to their Michael Jordan,” said the production crew source.
“That creates more tension in the whole team. There is no limit in stupidity to reach the best seat right next to the guy they call boss.”
