ESPN Announces Decision on Possible Skip Bayless Hire

On Monday, reports revealed that Skip Bayless is on his way out at Fox Sports 1 with his final appearance on Undisputed set for later this summer.

In the wake of this news, many began to speculate about Bayless' broadcasting future. Some suggested that the longtime sports media personality could return to ESPN as a guest debater for Stephen A. Smith's First Take.

ESPN has already shot down that idea.

“We are set with the current First Take rotation, and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors,” ESPN said of a possible Bayless hire, via Front Office Sports.

"What if the 56-year-old Smith took pity on the 72-year-old Bayless, his old TV partner, and invited him to join his rotating cast ensemble on First Take ? It would be the coup de grace in Smith and First Take ’s long rivalry with Bayless and Undisputed . And it would be sweet revenge for Smith’s new partner, Shannon Sharpe, who was pushed out of Undisputed in 2023 after seven years as Bayless’s TV partner," Front Office Sports insider Michael McCarthy wrote.

Bayless' four-year, $32 million deal with Fox Sports is set to expire at the end of the year.