It was announced that Skip Bayless‘ last show with FS1’s “Undisputed” will be this summer. This summer would have been the second summer Skip hosted the show without co-host Shannon Sharpe, who has thrived in his roles at ESPN on First Take, NightCap show, and Club Shay Shay.
Bayless and FOX decided on a recurring co-host lineup that included Richard Sherman, Rachel Nichols, Paul Pierce, Keyshawn Johnson, and Michael Irvin. The 72-year-old show has declined without Sharpe, averaging 48K viewers this past spring. Despite a four-year contract extension worth $32 million, it seems the network and Bayless want to go in a different direction.
It has been speculated that Stephen A. Smith is in the last year of his contract and is seeking $25 million a year, while ESPN’s latest offer was $18 million. That would make him the highest-paid media personality; however, Smith is the standard and likely will not budge.
Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy reached out to ESPN for a statement on the potential departure of Bayless and the possibility of his return.
“We are set with the current First take rotation, and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors,” an ESPN spokesman told FOS.
Where will Bayless go from here? Time will truly tell, and it seems like ESPN will not be in his future.
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