Skip Bayless has found his next debate stage. The longtime sports television personality is joining Gilbert Arenas for a new football show produced by Underdog, the company behind Arenas’ digital basketball series Gil’s Arena. The program, titled The Arena: Gridiron, will launch next Tuesday and air three times per week.
The news was first reported by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
Bayless will be joined by Arenas, former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, and former NFL coach Jay Gruden. Former NFL players Gerald McCoy and Cody Kessler will serve as guests, while social media influencer Kinsey Wolanski has been tapped to host for the new program.
“I’m not exaggerating to you,” Bayless told The Athletic. “I’m telling you, the God’s truth, I’m more on fire for this than I have ever been.”
The show marks Bayless’ return to the debate format he helped define at ESPN and FOX Sports. After 14 years working alongside Stephen A. Smith on First Take and seven years paired with Shannon Sharpe on FS1’s Undisputed, Bayless left FS1 last year. He has since been searching for what he described as a new partner who could challenge him and energize him.
“I’m back in the saddle in the debate arena. I live for this. I love this,” Bayless explained.
The current plan is for Underdog to rebrand Arenas’ digital platform as The Arena presented by Underdog, expanding its content beyond basketball. Founded just five years ago, Underdog has quickly gained traction in the sports entertainment space, with Arenas emerging as one of its marquee personalities.
Bayless acknowledged to The Athletic that both Arenas and Talib bring complicated histories to the new venture. Arenas was charged last month with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and making false statements to federal investigators. He has pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.
“They have no concerns,” Bayless said of Arenas’ legal issues. “I’ve talked to Gil. He has no concerns. He believes he did nothing at all wrong, except rent out his space, and I believe in him.”
Talib, meanwhile, stepped away from broadcasting after being present during the fatal shooting of a youth football coach by his brother in 2022.
Bayless had launched his own YouTube branded show called The Skip Bayless Show following his exit from FS1. Currently the channel has over 243,000 subscribers with Bayless providing his commentary on the sports headlines of the day.
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I can’t think of a show i’m less interested in watching. Particularly skip Bayless and Gilbert Arenas. Perhaps I’m by myself when I say I have no interest in what either of those guys have to say about anything.