2024-07-16 13:15:02
The Skip Bayless era at Fox Sports will come to an end later this summer. The longtime co-host of FS1’s “Undisputed” and Fox Sports have agreed to part ways, sources briefed on the decision confirmed Monday.
The New York Post’s Ryan Glasspiegel first reported the news.
Bayless arrived with much fanfare at Fox Sports in 2016 following 12 years at ESPN and a prominent role on “First Take” alongside Stephen A Smith. While ESPN wanted to retain him, Fox Sports made a significantly larger offer and the host headed West in search of new bloviating fame.
Fox Sports executives promised to build a debate show around Bayless’s persona — and that they did. The show found an audience with Bayless and partner Shannon Sharpe — and certainly did well on social platforms — but failed to duplicate linear success after Sharpe left for ESPN in 2023. (Sharpe recently signed a multi-year deal with ESPN to remain a key player on “First Take” alongside Smith.)
As for viewership struggles, Sports Media Watch editor Jon Lewis reported that the show drew just 50,000 viewers for a late February episode and was outdrawn by a first-round Dubai Open tennis match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Shevchenko, which averaged 54,000 on Tennis Channel.
Fox Sports declined to comment.
Sources briefed on the decision said there was a possibility the “Undisputed” name would be retired and a new show would come in place but those discussions are ongoing.
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(Photo of Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe: Nicholas Hunt / Getty Images)
