Skip Bayless is reportedly set to depart FS1 later this summer. 92.9 The Game host Steak Shapiro says that while Bayless isn’t a popular figure, he won’t be knocking the longtime host.
“Rest in peace, the sports gabbing career, possibly, of Skip Bayless, who has been a powerhouse in our industry for going on 20 years,” Shapiro said during The Steakhouse Wednesday. “I will never knock the hustle. I understand what he’s trying to do. He’s 72 years old. He is not coming back.”
Bayless, known for his hot takes first at ESPN alongside Stephen A. Smith on First Take, departed the network to join FS1 in 2016 to launch Undisputed. However, reports surfaced earlier this week that Bayless would be exiting the program later this summer as the conclusion of his reported four-year, $32 million contract nears.
While Steak Shapiro said he wouldn’t criticize Skip Bayless for his more than two decades atop the sports TV punditry world, he does believe that after many missteps, the longtime host never took the time to adapt, leading to his FS1 show ending.
“I’m not trying to say ‘I’m so special,’ but you never reinvented yourself. It’s the same schtick, ripping LeBron James, talking about the Cowboys, doing the same contrarian stuff,” said Shapiro. “You’re not likable and at some point, you’ve got to be a little more likeable and not have the same routine. It’s Skip Bayless’ is time. He came, and it looks like he’s on his way out. Because ESPN, I promise you, has no interest in him, and now Fox Sports eliminates him as well.”
ESPN has publicly stated it has no interest in reuniting Bayless with Stephen A. Smith. “We are set with the current First Take rotation, and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors,” a network spokesperson told Front Office Sports.
