Report: Skip Bayless to leave FS1, 'Undisputed'

Skip Bayless is leaving Fox Sports 1 and his show Undisputed, according to a report from Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post.

His final show will be later this summer. This comes after an eight-year stint at the network following his departure from ESPN.

Bayless was most known for his time on ESPN’s First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith. Eventually, the long time paired hosts split up as the former took his debate show to FS1.

While at FS1, Bayless partnered with Shannon Sharpe, who has since risen to media superstardom. Sharpe departed the program to join Smith at ESPN after the 2023 NBA Finals.

Bayless’ current iteration of Undisputed featured a rotating cast of panelists including Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin, Richard Sherman, Rachel Nichols and Paul Piece. However, it did not have the same effect debating with Sharpe.

The format recently changed following Sharpe’s departure last summer. Bayless did not have a moderator and instead served more as a host by introducing topics to debaters. He then chimed in third or fourth in rotation.

“While (Colin) Cowherd and Bayless were warned by colleagues that they would get ‘lost’ leaving ESPN for FS1 in 2015 and 2016, respectively, both were successful in making the shift, as digital platforms like YouTube, X and Instagram made their audiences portable beyond linear TV,” Glasspiegel wrote. “It is expected that ‘Undisputed’ will continue without Bayless.

“Elsewhere on the network, ‘First Things First’ and ‘Speak’ are expected to expand by a half-hour each, to fill the time vacated by ‘Race Hub,’ the NASCAR show whose run ended after 13 years in June.”

Bayless originally signed a four-year, $32 million deal in 2021, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand. With Bayless gone, it’s worth noting Cowherd is a media free agent following the upcoming NFL season.

Bayless, a Vanderbilt alum, began his journalism career in print at the Miami Herald following graduation. A long career featuring radio and television expanded into the debate show format.

Following the success of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption and Around the Horn, Bayless’ show Cold Pizza, which evolved into First Take, caused his and Smith’s popularity to skyrocket. A polarizing figure in sports media, it remains to be seen what’s next for Bayless.