Skip Bayless, the long-time co-host of FS1’s “Undisputed,” will be leaving Fox Sports this summer. This news was confirmed by sources familiar with the decision, following a report from Ryan Glasspiegel of The New York Post. Bayless joined Fox Sports in 2016 after spending 12 years at ESPN, where he gained recognition for his role on “First Take” alongside Stephen A Smith. While ESPN was eager to keep him, Fox Sports offered a much larger deal, prompting Bayless to make the move.
Upon his arrival at Fox Sports, executives promised to create a debate show centered around Bayless’s personality. The show, co-hosted by Shannon Sharpe, garnered a significant following and performed well on social media. However, it struggled to replicate this success in terms of linear viewership after Sharpe departed for ESPN in 2023. Despite their efforts, recent reports indicate that the show drew only 50,000 viewers for a late February episode. To put this into perspective, it was even outperformed by a first-round Dubai Open tennis match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Shevchenko, which averaged 54,000 viewers on Tennis Channel.
While Fox Sports has not provided an official comment on Bayless’s departure, sources familiar with the situation suggest that there may be discussions about retiring the “Undisputed” name and introducing a new show in its place.
This decision marks the end of an era for Skip Bayless at Fox Sports. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a polarizing figure in sports media, known for his provocative takes and controversial statements. While some viewers appreciated his boldness and entertainment value, others criticized him for his excessive bloviating and lack of substantial analysis.
Bayless’s departure from Fox Sports raises questions about the future of “Undisputed” and the network’s strategy for its morning debate show. With Shannon Sharpe already settled at ESPN, it remains to be seen who will join Bayless’s side in the new iteration of the show, should it be renamed and continued. Additionally, Fox Sports will need to find a way to attract a larger linear viewership to match the success they have achieved on social media platforms.
In conclusion, Skip Bayless’s departure from Fox Sports signifies the end of an era for the network’s morning debate show, “Undisputed.” Despite initial hype and a strong online presence, the show struggled to maintain its linear viewership after Shannon Sharpe’s departure. The decision to part ways with Bayless opens up opportunities for a potential rebranding and new additions to the show’s lineup. As fans eagerly await further updates, it remains to be seen what direction Fox Sports will take to revitalize their morning debate programming.