The rotation of replacements for Shannon Sharpe to debate Skip Bayless on FS1’s “Undisputed” continues to take shape.
Rachel Nichols will join the program as a regular analyst, John Ourand reports for Sports Business Journal.
The report also said the network is “deciding between whether to have former NFL stars Michael Irvin or Keyshawn Johnson” join the show, with a decision expected as soon as Wednesday.
Nichols came up in the business as a sports writer at The Washington Post and later hosted the NBA-focused show “The Jump” for ESPN.
She left the network in 2021 after her private phone call, in which she was unhappy with getting replaced by Maria Taylor as NBA Finals host, leaked in The New York Times.
Nichols currently has shows with Showtime and the Washington D.C. regional sports network Monumental.
Irvin would be a fascinating candidate for “Undisputed” for a number of reasons.
He is a flag-bearer for the Cowboys, the team that Bayless also loves — and loves to discuss.
Furthermore, it would be akin to a game of keepaway, as Bayless’ former co-host, Stephen A. Smith, has been banging the table asking ESPN to bring Irvin back to “First Take.”
Irvin has been sidelined from “First Take” and his role at NFL Network since he was accused of making lewd comments to a hotel employee during Super Bowl week.
Irvin has denied wrongdoing.
With Johnson, a deal with FS1 would require him to make a separate arrangement with ESPN, which laid off the former NFL wideout earlier this summer, with several years remaining on his deal.
The Post’s Andrew Marchand reported this week that former Super Bowl champion Richard Sherman will be joining “Undisputed” for about 50-100 dates a year.
Bayless also announced recently that his friend, rapper Lil Wayne, will be joining the show for a weekly Friday spot.
The Post first reported in May that Sharpe was leaving the program; both he and Smith have been vocal about wanting a collaboration on “First Take” to happen.
