What a year of events legendary sports media personality Skip Bayless
has endured. From the fallout with NFL Hall of Famer and debate
partner Shannon Sharpe to now the news of his final show slated for
later this summer. If you’ve been living under a rock, I don’t feel sorry
for you. Bayless is truly one of one in creating the “embrace debate”
but with that came with harsh realities over the years.
With the news popping up on everyone’s timelines, Bayless’ soon
departure from FS1 writing was on the wall. How did we get here you
might wonder? Let’s rewind the clock back to 2022 during the NFL
season, where Bayless and Sharpe’s worst moment in the show boiled
over. On the segment of a blowout loss in which Tom Brady’s Bucs
suffered at the hands of San Francisco, what was friendly debate got
ugly. Sharpe to his credit elaborated as to why Brady was still in the
game in a blowout loss. Fair point, but Bayless insisted as he usually
does “he’s Thomas Edward Patrick Brady” and the segment went off
the rails.
It was during that heated debated Bayless brought up Brady’s past
heroics to shield him from Sharpe getting the best of him. That wasn’t part of the debate; we all know about the 28-3 comeback in the Super
Bowl which Brady orchestrated against then Atlanta Falcons offensive
coordinator and current San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
What Bayless uttered to Sharpe would change their partnership
forever. Subtle jabs of “you’re just jealous you had to retire at 35; while
Brady is still playing at 45!” Sharpe in his defense: “you act like I’m a
bum! I’m in the Hall of Fame!”
From there, no remorse from Bayless and we all knew the show was
doomed. One hot debate turned personal as both men found
themselves trending on social media. Fans were confused as to why
Bayless would take personal shots at a man whose been sitting across
from him for seven years. Now a blow-up over two different positions
led to the downfall of “Undisputed.”
Upon Sharpe’s departure in 2023, FS1 and Bayless took a hiatus to
regroup the show. It was announced former NFL player Keyshawn
Johnson, Richard Sherman, who had history with Bayless prior to
joining the panel and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin would take the show
to new depths. It felt like the right move, but never captured the
viewership of Sharpe’s “Unc” persona. From there, a rotation of Rachel
Nichols, Paul Pierce hasn’t panned out as scheduled.
This also brought Bayless to a new role as moderator in which fans felt
was out of his norm considering he’d built his career going neck to neck
on sport’s hottest topics. In a power struggle, he controlled the show
and topics, which drew ire to Sharpe’s final straw. With the viewership
numbers down and nobody seems prepared to debate, it’s more of a
talk show versus driving the points into the minds of viewers. This was
all on Bayless as the show has dipped to new lows.
Even with Grammy Award winning rapper Lil’ Wayne and his Young
Money circle, it hasn’t boded well with fans either. It’s been a complete
disappointment for FS1 and Bayless. They entrusted him to carry the
show with a new format and panel, but it’s failed on many levels. With
one year remaining on his current deal, the obvious is to let him go.
Bayless’ podcast isn’t as popular as his former partner Sharpe, whose
seen his viewership increase with “Club Shay Shay” and “Nightcap” with
Ocho and Gilbert Arenas. With no social media followers and presence,
Bayless’ old media tactics have failed him.
In the age of digital media, Bayless can launch his own YouTube channel
and garner more traction. Even co-signing with the likes of “Fan Duel”
or “Draft Kings” as sponsors to evolve as a sports personality. It would be difficult in part of him not being able to connect with the social
media aspect of it. Not having guests on his podcast hurts his brand
because fans want to hear athletes and entertainers give their takes on
issues. A lot of athletes have flourished, but Bayless is stuck between
the old media and not embracing a new media.
He will have some suitors in the next few months; but with NFL training
camp around the corner, Bayless’ last dance with the network he
helped launch has ran its course. It would be nice to see him and
Stephen A. Smith back together, but anything is possible. The
Godfather of Sports Debate has built his career off proclaiming Michael
Jordan, Tom Brady are the true GOATS; not LeBron James and Patrick
Mahomes which can irritate viewers because they have accomplished
and succeeded in every aspect. This generation can’t relate to MJ or
Brady, but they’ve grew up with James and Mahomes.
From covering world class athletes in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Barry
Bonds, Michael Jordan, the Dallas Cowboys, Bayless’ career is
cemented as one of the greatest sports columnists of any era. Humble
beginnings in Oklahoma to building a larger than life personality on
television, he’s truly a gem that’ll go down as the GOAT. Love, hate, like or dislike, Skip Bayless will continue to be unapologetic and most
importantly Undisputed.
