Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe (Image Credit: Getty Images)
After eight often turbulent years co-hosting “Undisputed,” Skip Bayless revealed that Friday’s episode was his last on the FS1 sports debate show.
Bayless, known for his confrontational style, often found himself in contentious situations.
His most notable feud was with his co-host, Shannon Sharpe, who left the show nearly a year ago.
After his sudden departure, Bayless criticized FS1 for not addressing his feud with Sharpe.
Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported that Bayless was deeply disappointed with the network’s handling of the situation.
“Bayless may also blame FS1 executives rather than himself for not fixing the feud with Sharpe before it got completely out of hand, say sources,” McCarthy wrote.
Bayless chose not to address his departure on the show. McCarthy believes that reason may be the famous analyst’s frustration with the network he helped build.
“The proud Bayless was so disappointed at being pushed out of the network he helped build that he passed on the chance to address his departure,” McCarthy added.
How Many Years Has Skip Bayless Been with FSI?
Skip Bayless joined FS1 in 2016, bringing his aggressive style to the network and engaging in daily debates with Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe. During his tenure at FS1, Bayless signed a lucrative four-year deal worth $32 million in 2021.
Bayless and Sharpe’s dynamic drew considerable attention, making the show a staple for sports debate enthusiasts. However, after Sharpe’s departure, “Undisputed” took a brief hiatus and began to lose ratings.
In response, FS1 introduced a new format featuring famous personalities such as Keyshawn Johnson, Michael Irvin, Richard Sherman, Rachel Nichols, and Paul Pierce. Bayless took on dual roles as moderator and panelist in these debates, working alongside the new cast members.
Before his successful run at FS1, Bayless had a successful stint as a well-known analyst at ESPN. With ESPN, he worked for 12 years.