Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
ESPN Speaks Out on Potential Skip Bayless Reunion Before Undisputed Exit
Sports talk host Skip Bayless announced his departure from the popular show ‘Undisputed,’ igniting rumors about his potential move to another network beyond Fox Sports 1.
On Tuesday, a report by Mike McCarthy from Front Office Sports shed light on whether ESPN might consider welcoming back the former First Take star Bayless.
Bayless has been the primary host of ‘Undisputed’ for the past eight years. Recently, he stirred controversy by criticizing LeBron James for a perceived ‘PR Smoke’ contract decision.
Will Bayless return to ESPN to reprise his role on First Take? According to McCarthy, the answer is a definite “no.”
McCarthy’s report featured a dismissive comment from an ESPN spokesperson: “We are set with the current First Take rotation and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors,” the spokesperson told FOS, according to McCarthy.
Current First Take hosts include Stephen A. Smith, Chris Russo, Molly Qerim, and others. JJ Redick, who is now the coach of the LA Lakers, was also a commentator before moving on to his podcast ‘Mind the Game’ with LeBron James and his current coaching position.
In the meantime, Skip Bayless remains active and vocal on social media. He recently commented on Bronny James, son of LeBron James, who won the NBA Summer League’s Call of Duty video game tournament. Bayless polled his audience on what this says about Bronny’s current standing in the league.
Bayless also posted about Austin Reaves of the Lakers defending Bronny while teasing his last batch of shows on Fox Sports 1. Bayless, now 72, has been with Fox Sports One since 2016 after a 12-year stint at ESPN. He signed a four-year, $32 million contract extension with FS1 in 2021 but appears poised for retirement, leveraging his significant social media following to remain influential in the realm of sports commentary.
Skip Bayless, an avid fan of multiple sports and teams, has strong opinions, particularly about the Dallas Cowboys. Raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Bayless’s career has been marked by his outspoken and often controversial takes.
As he transitions away from his long tenure on ‘Undisputed,’ the sports world will be keen to see where Skip Bayless will next lend his well-known voice. Fans and critics alike watch with bated breath, anticipating his next move and the next platform that will host his unfiltered opinions.
