After more than a week at his new job and even the help of a giant name tag, Shannon Sharpe is still calling Stephen A. Smith ‘Skip’ by accident on ESPN’s First Take.

After seeing some on social media once again use the mistake to laugh at Sharpe’s expense for the mistake, Smith took to X to defend his co-host.

‘Will folks calm the F*** down please. The man (@ShannonSharpe) worked with Skip for 2 1/2 hours every single weekday for 6 1/2 YEARS! I’m surprised he hasn’t called me Skip more,’ Smith tweeted.

‘Honest mistake. Nobody is fazed this way! So long as he shows up to @FirstTake when I ask, we are good!#TRUST’

While discussing Kansas City Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney, Sharpe said: ‘I agree with everything you just said. He needs to stay his a** off social media because here’s the thing Skip…DANG.’ Sharpe then hit the desk in front of him in frustration after quickly noticing his mistake.

Shannon Sharpe once again called Stephen A. Smith ‘ Skip’ during an episode of first take

Smith took to X later in the day to defend Sharpe for making the understandable mistake

The duo were discussing KC Chiefss WR Kadarius Toney after he took shots at NY Giants

While laughing Smith then tried to help his co-host feel better about the incident as he said: ‘It’s ok my man, it’s alright. Seven years bro, it’s ok don’t listen, don’t worry about them trolls.

Previously viewers were quick to point out how during his first appearance on the show Sharpe accidentally called Smith ‘Skip’ in reference to his former co-host on FOX Sport’s Undisputed Skip Bayless and it seems ESPN’s newest big acquisition has not yet fully adjusted to the new environment.

Smith then had some fun at Sharpe’s expense when he wore a giant name tag on air in an effort to help his co-host say the correct name. Tuesday morning’s episode of first take however showed maybe Smith should break out the name tag at least one more time.

At the time of today’s slip up Sharpe and Smith were specifically discussing Toney’s quickness to troll Giants fans over New York’s 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Following the Giants loss Toney posted the scoreline when the game was 26-0 along with pictures of Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones looking lost that he captioned ‘Na Don’t get quiet now…’ 

He later posted the final scoreline along with an image that featured Stewie Griffin from the show Family Guy getting ready for bed and the words ‘Giants fans last night.’ 

Toney was traded from the Giants to the Chiefs last seasons amid reports of rifts between him and New York’s new coaching staff and front office, which has led to bad blood between the 24-year-old wide out and Big Blue’s fanbase.

After Toney – along with the rest of the Chiefs receiving core – dropped several key passes during the loss to Detroit, Giants fans took to social media to post countless jokes at the WR’s expense.

A solid recovery in summer holiday travel has led WH Smith to shrug of the impact of rail strikes as sales boomed at airports and it expands in the US.

Turnover at the High Street come travel hub retailer increased by 28 per cent for the 12 months ending August.

First-half revenues expanded at over double the rate they did in the following six months, due to the former period lapping the Omicron variant’s emergence a year earlier.

WH Smith’s travel business continued to benefit from the removal of the last pandemic-related curbs at home and overseas, enabling Britons to head abroad again.

Moving again: WH Smith’s travel business continued to benefit from the loosening of pandemic-related curbs that have enabled people to go abroad again

WH Smith also credited its ‘focused in-store strategy’ for delivering higher average transactions and expanding the range of products on offer from categories like technology, health and beauty.

Sales at the company’s UK travel hubs climbed by more than a third, and it said that revenue was boosted not just due to rising airport trade but also a strong performance by its hospital-based outlets.

The firm said demand also remained resilient at its rail channel despite footfall being impacted by railway workers staging a series of strikes over pay and conditions.

Meanwhile, travel sales grew by 31 per cent in North America, where the group boosted its market share and opened another 43 shops, while they nearly doubled throughout the rest of the world.

This offset a modest drop in sales at its traditional high street operation, which has struggled for some time with underinvestment and significant competition from retail giants like Amazon.

Carl Cowling, the firm’s chief executive, said in late June that the company would not be opening any more UK high street shops in order to focus on overseas expansion and travel hubs.

The Swindon-based retailer expects to open over 80 new shops by August 2024, with around half launching in North America. 

Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said: ‘We believe WH Smith’s forensic approach to retailing should stand it in good stead to expand successfully in the global travel essential retail segment.

‘We remain attracted to its longer-term growth potential in captive travel retail markets, which may offer consolidation potential longer term.

‘Consumer demand for travel remains strong, and [WH Smith] should be helped by its relatively low basket size in a tougher consumer environment.’

For the last financial year, WH Smith has predicted the travel business would provide over 70 per cent of revenue and approximately 85 per cent of profit from trading operations.

Analysts anticipate the firm making £143million in annual pre-tax profits, compared to £61million the previous year.

WH Smith shares were 5.6 per cent, or 83p, lower at £14.01 on Wednesday morning, meaning they have slumped by 46 per cent since the beginning of 2020.

Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Ashtead Group, DS Smith, Rio Tinto, Begbies Traynor, Jet2, and PZ Cussons. Read the Tuesday 05 September Business Live blog below.

Annual energy bills could climb back above £2,000 next year

Annual energy bills could climb back above £2,000 next year – in a blow to millions of families facing another costly winter.

The price cap set by regulator Ofgem from January 1 will take the typical gas and electricity bill to £2,083 a year, asset manager Investec predicted.

Lionesses set the tills roaring back home as World Cup boosts retail

England’s Lionesses delivered a boost for retailers last month as fans stocked up on food and drink for World Cup get-togethers.

The team’s progress to the final – where they suffered heartbreak at the hands of Spain – set supermarket tills ringing, helping them recover after a washout start to the summer.

M&S in tie-up with Estee Lauder ahead of return to the Footsie

Marks & Spencer has teamed up with as it extends its ‘brands’ strategy.

From next month, more than 30 of the New York-based beauty giant’s perfumes will be available on the M&S website as well as on click and collect from over 700 stores.

Climate backlash rocks Grafton

Grafton Group said its record on climate and gender diversity were among the reasons 21 per cent of shareholders voted against re-electing its non-executive chairman.

The Irish DIY retail giant launched a consultation after more than a fifth of investors chose not to support the resolution to re-elect Michael Roney at the firm’s annual general meeting in May.

Private equity swoops on UK pharma firm Ergomed in £703.1m deal

Private equity has swooped on another British company in a deal that values the founder’s stake at more than £120million.

Buyout giant Permira has agreed to buy pharmaceuticals services group Ergomed for £703.1million – putting it on course to become the latest firm to leave the London stock market.

Auditor EY under fire over its green light for Wilko

EY, the auditor of collapsed retail chain Wilko, is facing a backlash for its oversight of the group after signing off its accounts despite the firm having warned that it did not have enough funds to cope with a sharp drop in sales.

It comes as MPs on the Business Committee are set to gather on Tuesday to discuss the fate of the retailer, which collapsed into administration last month putting 12,000 jobs at risk.

WHAT BOOK. . . are you reading now?

I usually have more than one book on the go and a large pile awaiting my attention. Over the last few years, I have been re-reading the novels of Muriel Spark. 

The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie has always been a favourite, but more recently I have re-engaged with The Mandelbaum Gate, a tale of espionage and pilgrimage.

Her longest novel, it is quite different from the short, sharp writings that went before, or the richness of her longer works that followed. 

There is more than a hint of autobiography, a writing to explore self perhaps. And that voice . . . it lingers in the mind well after the final page, inviting you back for further discussion, asking you to revisit and find something new.

I’m also reading Picts: Scourge Of Rome, Rulers Of The North by Gordon Noble and Nicholas Evans. This impressive book covers seven centuries of Pictish history.

And I’ve just finished Abyss, by Max Hastings, who writes beautifully. This fascinating treatment of the Cuban Missile Crisis is an absolute page-turner.

Writer Alexander says he usually has more than one book on the go and a large pile awaiting his attention

. . . would you take to a desert island?

W.H. Auden’s Shorter Collected Poems. His belief in civic virtues, his espousal of understanding and sympathy in human relationships, his insistence on the healing power of art: all of these are as important in our own 21st century crisis as they were in the difficult years of the 1930s. 

His rational voice is as clear, as moving and as relevant as it was when read for the first time — and I would welcome his company.

. . . first gave you the reading bug?

Ginger’s Adventures (a Ladybird book by A.J. MacGregor). This was an early favourite, a companion at bedtime. 

It is a story told in rhyme — and I knew it so well I could recite it. In fact, I still can!

But it was the sense of adventure that captured my young imagination. I don’t suppose a book like this would find a publisher these days.

. . . left you cold?

There was a time when I persevered with books, even if they left me cold. Now, I have less guilt in quietly moving them onto the charity pile.

 Over the years I have read The Iliad, attributed to Homer, on a number of occasions. The text of this epic poem is heavy with military history and the voice seems to belong to more than one author — who actually wrote it is surely one of the greatest literary mysteries.

There are question marks, too, over when this work was written — perhaps as early as 2000 BC, well before the time Homer is said to have existed. Of these two books, I much prefer The Odyssey, which is quite different in style.

Does The Iliad leave me cold? No — but lukewarm and a little frustrated. However, one cannot deny that, taken together, these two epics give rich insight into early society and that they have influenced all art forms and continue to do so.

• The Discreet Charm Of The Big Bad Wolf and I Think Of You by Alexander McCall Smith are both available now.

Steve Smith narrowly escaped a sensational run out from England’s substitute fielder, George Ealham, during the second day of the fifth Ashes test match at the Oval. 

It was almost reminiscent of Ricky Ponting’s dismissal at Trent Bridge in the 2005 Ashes series and ironically, the former Australian captain was on Sky Sports’ commentary at the time the incident took place .

The decision, which has sparked much discussion online, saw Smith knock a ball from Chris Woakes down to mid-wicket.

On the television coverage, the ball seems to trickle away out wide, with the 34-year-old and his batting partner, Pat Cummins, attempting to make it back to the crease in time for two runs. 

But appearing from out of the picture of the television coverage came Earlham, who steamed in to throw a rocket of a ball into Jonny Bairstow. 

The England keeper took the catch and swung his hands into the wicket as Smith dived for his crease with the bat. 

The decision went upstairs to the television match official, with Ponting initially saying ‘this could be out’ before asking the question everyone in the stands was thinking ‘had Smith made his crowd.’

It was a very hard decision for the TMO to call, with there being millimetres between Smith’s bat and the crease. 

But it seemed that Bairstow had made contact with the stumps before he caught the ball and under Law 29, the wicket was not removed fairly and subsequently decision was ruled as ‘not out’.

Ponting, meanwhile, who had notably been dismissed by substitute fielder Gary Pratt in a similar incident was on hand to tell Smith that he should have learned from his mistakes. 

‘The lesson is, don’t take on the sub fielder you know nothing about … the bloke’s covered 100 metres in 8.5 seconds,’ Ponting said on Sky Sports. 

Woakes would be back to attack Bairstow again soon after, with the Australian swinging again with his bat towards mid-wicket, but he erroneously caught it wrong and sent the ball up into the air with a poor top edge flying backwards behind his own wicket. 

Bairstow was on hand once again and this time made no mistake, running backwards to take an impressive catch on the run to dismiss Smith for 71 off 123 balls. 

Jim Long has stunned world No. 1 Michael Smith on the opening night of the 2023 bet365 US Darts Masters, dumping out the reigning champion on a memorable night at Madison Square Garden. 

The Canadian, 55, put on the best display of his 24-year career when he caused a huge upset in New York by defying five 180s from the 32-year-old to book his spot in Saturday’s quarterfinals. 

Jeff Smith, who’s also from Canada, progressed into the last eight of the tournament along with Long, his compatriot, after defeating Peter Wright. 

Long, however, got the crowd going at the Theater at MSG, landing three 180s and converting 97 and 115 checkouts to set up an intriguing clash against 2017 champion Michael van Gerwen, of the Netherlands.

‘I’m still taking it in. Michael is the cream of the crop. I’m ecstatic,’ said Long, a one-time World Cup of Darts quarterfinalist in 2019. 

Jim Long, of Canada, caused a major upset by defeated World No. 1 Michael Smith in New York

Smith (L) and Long (R) shake hands after their matchup at bet365 US Darts Masters at MSG

Several fans were spotted wearing traffic cones on their heads while holding foam fingers 

‘This is the biggest win of my career by far. I was so nervous. I had so many friends here tonight so it’s a very special night for me.’

Along with Long’s friends in the crowd emerged different sets of fans from all around the world and all dressed in different outfits.

Several supporters were spotted wearing cones on their heads while holding foam fingers made by bet365. Others held score signs while cheering on their favorite player. 

A minor group of fans, in particular, wore golden t-shirts displaying the words ‘average joe’s’ on them, as well as blue, white and red headbands and arm wrists while cheering on American players. 

US fans wearing golden t-shirts displaying the words ‘average joe’s’ on them were also spotted

LOST MUCH?: Some American fans seemingly mixed up the dates of the NHL Finals with darts 

A lot of fans at Madison Square Garden showed off score signs at every opportunity they could

There were also three dart enthusiasts wearing USA hockey jersey who seemingly mixed up the day of the first game of the NHL Finals and the first day of the US Darts Masters. 

The US Darts Masters will concur on Saturday evening, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final taking place all in one sitting at the Theater. 

The bet365 North American Championship will also start on Saturday, with eight US and Canadian stars battling for the $25,000 in prize money and a spot in the 2023/24 World Darts Championship.

The winner of the US Darts Masters will take home $74,700, according to Planet Sport. Coverage of the tournament is provided by DAZN in the US and Canada.  

WH Smith has boosted its full-year forecasts as loosening Covid-related restrictions continued to lift airport store sales during the spring period.

The retailer’s total turnover increased by 23 per cent year-on-year for the 13 weeks ending 27 May, with modest growth in high street trade complemented by a solid performance from its travel business.

Sales in the UK travel arm expanded by almost a quarter, which the firm credited to a rebound in passenger numbers, the launch of new categories, as well as bumper trade at electronics-led InMotion shops.

Good results: WH Smith revealed that turnover increased by 23 per cent in the third quarter

Its railway-based outlets also achieved a 10 per cent rise in revenues despite footfall on some days being impacted by Aslef and RMT workers striking over pay and conditions.

At the same time, turnover grew by more than a quarter in its North American travel business but climbed by 79 per cent throughout the rest of the world thanks to a rebound across Australia and Asia.

WH Smith’s growth was also heavily driven by opening new establishments at transit destinations, including Newark Liberty International and Kansas airports in the US.

Since the start of last September, the FTSE 250 bookseller’s travel segment has won more than 70 store tenders, meaning it now has over 130 outlets yet to open.

In April, WH Smith predicted its travel division would provide approximately 70 per cent of revenues and about 85 per cent of earnings from trading operations by the end of the current financial year.

WH Smith said on Wednesday that its annual expectations have ‘modestly improved,’ adding that it was ‘in a good position as we approach the peak summer trading period’.

WH Smith shares were 2.4 per cent up at £15.65 on late Wednesday afternoon, although they remain significantly below their pre-Covid peak of about £26.60. 

Trading for most of the first two years of the pandemic was severely depressed by cross-border travel restrictions and a surge in people working from home. 

But while the company’s high street arm performed comparatively better at times, it has struggled for many years with weak sales and profits, underinvestment and stiff competition from retail giants like Amazon. 

Instead, WH Smith has focused on expanding the travel business, buying a raft of former Dixons Travel outlets in summer 2021 and adding more InMotion stores.

Neil Shah, director of content and strategy at Edison Group, said: ‘WH Smith’s gradual transformation over the past two decades, transitioning from the high street to airport terminals, has played a crucial role in its resilience and expansion.

‘With strong trading momentum, a growing pipeline of new stores, and recovering passenger numbers, the company is well-positioned to seize the opportunities presented by the peak summer trading period and beyond.’

Stephen A. Smith has made an emotional plea for the New York Knicks to make some key offseasons moves in the aftermath of the team’s second round exit to the Miami Heat in the NBA playoffs, begging for star player Julius Randle to be traded for the Portland Trailblazers’ franchise player, Damian Lillard.  

The ESPN basketball analyst was on the verge of tears after the Knicks lost to Jimmy Butler and Co. in Miami on Friday night and didn’t hold back on several players in orange and blue. 

‘I needed a few minutes. Season’s over. Destiny and I always knew that the New York Knicks would lose,’ said a 55-year-old defeated Smith, a Bronx-native, before blasting Knicks’ head, Tom Thibodeau. ‘Team can’t shoot but you only play Evan Fournier in 27 games this season. Don’t give him a second of time in the playoffs. 

‘[Quentin] Grimes air ball at the end of the game… Jalen Brunson, spectacular… 41 points. But he was the only one who showed up!

‘RJ Barrett… 1 of 10 shooting from the field! Really?! Really?! And you’ve got the nerve to be sensitive about criticism…’

Stephen A. Smith was on the verge of tears after the Knicks were defeated by the Miami Heat

Smith, of ESPN, wants the Knicks to go all in for 32-year-old, seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard

Smith, who’s from the Bronx, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Julius Randle in the playoffs

Virtually criticizing most Knicks starters on the night, bar center Mitchell Robinson, there was one player in particular, who couldn’t hide from Smith’s wrath. And that was star forward and the team’s second-option, Julius Randle.

‘Julius Randle… Julius Randle… Julius Randle… 3 of 14… once again playoffs arrived, once again you fold.

‘Done. Done! 

‘It’s time to trade for Julius Randle,’ Smith further said with emphasis. ‘It’s time for him to go. I want Damian Lillard. I don’t care what you gotta do to get him. I want Damian Lillard. 

‘Goodbye.’

Indeed, as Smith pointed out, Jalen Brunson was once again on fire for New York when he needed to be relied on the most, scoring on 14-for-22 shooting. But his teammates combined for only 51 points – Julius Randle had 15 and RJ Barrett 11, only converting one shot all game. Josh Hart added 11 points off the Knicks bench.

‘Congratulations to the Heat, to the organization, to the coaching staff, [Erik Spoelstra] and Pat Riley and all their players,’ Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. ‘They played tough in this series and hats off to them. But I’m proud of our guys. There’s always disappointment in the end of the season and in the end, there’ll be one team standing. […] Proud of the way this team worked all year.’ 

The only player who didn’t face Smith’s wrath: Jalen Brunson, who scored 41 points on Friday

Brunson had 22 points in the first half, tying his third-most before intermission in any game this season – and his most ever by halftime of a playoff game. He had 15 in the first quarter when the Knicks came out flying to grab early control. 

‘Just got to give them a lot of credit. They didn’t play like an 8 seed – at all,’ Brunson said, referring to the Heat reaching the playoff through the play-in tournament after finishing as the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed ahead of the postseason. ‘They were unbelievable. The utmost respect for them and that organization. I liked the way we fought.’ 

It remains to be seen whether the Knicks front office will want to give up any of its assets for Lillard, a seven-time All Star, whose nicknamed ‘Dame Time’ for his history of making big shots in the clutch. 

Lillard, who 32.2 points in 36.3 minutes played per game this season, was honored as one of the NBA’s greatest players of all time by being name to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. 

He reached the Western Conference Finals in 2019 against the Golden State Warriors – the eventual NBA champions – averaging 34.3 points and 10.2 assists per game, arguably the most-accomplishing season in his career.