Julio Jones Interview Becomes Headache for Fox, Shannon Sharpe

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Shannon Sharpe’s controversial TV interview with Julio Jones has ignited a “massive stink bomb,” said a source, putting a strain on the billion-dollar relationship between Fox Sports and the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons were blindsided, the same source told Front Office Sports, when Sharpe aired a phone call with Jones on Monday’s “Undisputed” and the star wide receiver all but declared he was done with the team.

It’s unclear whether the 32-year-old Jones, who has been the subject of trade rumors since the 2020 season ended, knew he was live on the air with Sharpe and co-star Skip Bayless. 

The Falcons, according to sources, believe the interview — where Jones told Sharpe “I’m out of there, man” about Atlanta while also dismissing the Dallas Cowboys as a possible destination — undercut their negotiating position as they try to trade the All-Pro wide receiver to another NFL club.

The team had no advance knowledge or input into the interview.

Sources said Jones’ reps at Creative Artists Agency have reached out to Fox about the situation.

“It’s become a huge deal,” said one source.

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Among potential consequences for Fox:

Blowback: The NFL has its ways of handling its TV partners. The Falcons could quietly seek an on-air apology or some other redress from Fox. If not forthcoming, Fox could end up in the doghouse among the league’s TV partners, which include NBC, CBS, and ESPN.

That could mean less access and cooperation from the team and other NFL clubs. Or, the worst case scenario for an NFL TV partner, the bad blood could lead to poor game matchups.

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Fox Fallout?: Publicity-wise, Sharpe’s Jones get was a triumph for “Undisputed,” generating massive free media coverage. Even rival ESPN credited “Undisputed” for the Jones scoop on Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take” Tuesday.

Sharpe’s been in negotiations for a contract extension. The interview highlighted his influence and access to today’s stars. Bayless spiked the ball Tuesday, calling “Undisputed” the “hottest” sports show on TV. “You never know what might happen,” crowed Bayless on Twitter. 

But the controversial incident also raises questions how and why Fox producers let Sharpe conduct an interview that could not only put the network in hot water with their most important business partner but legal jeopardy as well.

“It was creative and organic. But it was unprofessional as well,” said another source. “You have to tell someone they’re on TV. And not just at the end of the segment to cover your arse.”

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