Former ESPN exec admits network valued Stephen A. Smith more than Skip Bayless

In 2016, ESPN had a decision to make with regards to First Take. Skip Bayless’ contract was up, and the network had to decide whether to give him a similar contract to sparring partner Stephen A. Smith or let him leave the network.

Ultimately, after ESPN made a “considerable” offer to keep Bayless, he left for FS1 to join forces with Shannon Sharpe to start Undisputed. But Skipper — ESPN’s president at the time — pointed out if the network had to choose, Smith had a higher value than Bayless.

“We waited too long,” Skipper said, via The Athletic. “We valued Stephen A. more than we valued Skip. … We just felt that Skip was the foil and the star of the show was Stephen A.”

Of course, there’s no denying the Smith-Bayless partnership helped change TV. First Take transformed the televised sports debate, and Undisputed followed in its footsteps. Initially, though, Skipper wasn’t necessarily on board with the format.

Now, he has come around and credits Jamie Horowitz for placing First Take in the proper spot.

“I think it’s true that on SportsCenter you should not survey what should go first,” Skipper said. “You have to put whatever the news of the day is first. On an entertainment show — and indeed First Take was entertainment — I think Jamie’s approach turned out to be more fruitful. I probably didn’t think that at the time.”

‘First Take’ underwent many changes after Skip Bayless’ departure

After Bayless’ departure, Max Kellerman sat in his chair across from Smith on First Take from 2016-21. ESPN then opted to move him off the show and into a national radio role as part of its new morning show called Keyshawn, J-Will and Max and gave him his own TV show in the afternoons, This Just In.

First Take also opted to make it a rotating group of analyst to counter Smith. That group includes Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on Wednesdays along with other ESPN personalities such as Marcus Spears and JJ Redick.

Kellerman was let go from ESPN late last month as part of the network’s massive wave of layoffs, which also saw his radio and TV shows canceled. The Pat McAfee Show is expected to take the TV slot.

Bayless to take time off in light of Shannon Sharpe’s departure from ‘Undisputed’

As for Bayless, Undisputed is going off the air for some time to deal with Sharpe’s departure from the network. FS1 has had a hard time replacing him, though, according to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy. As a result, Bayless is taking some time off.

McCarthy also noted FOX could opt to follow ESPN’s lead and pair Bayless with rotating partners. However, that idea seems like a non-starter for Bayless.

“Another reason for the delay could be that Bayless and FS1 are scrapping the mano-a-mano style of the show,” McCarthy wrote. “Instead, Bayless could replicate Smith’s formula at First Take, where he debates a rotating series of guests ranging from Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo to JJ Redick.

“It would be a stretch. The rigidly disciplined Bayless has been basically following the same format for 15 years. But it would be an insurance policy for Bayless preventing any debate partner like Sharpe from approaching him in popularity or power again.”

Sharpe signed off after the NBA Finals and his departure happened quicker than expected. The Pro Football Hall of Famer sat across the table from Bayless for seven years. It’s unclear what his next venture in TV will be, but reports have connected him to ESPN and FanDuel.