You mean to tell me that Stephen A. Smith -- widely regarded as an egomaniac -- is out here teaching up-and-coming talent? Well, that doesn't necessarily fit the narrative now, does it?
"Adding people into the mix, is one thing. Changing the complete makeup and formula of the show is entirely different. And that ain’t happening, for anyone."
"If you liked that show in whatever incarnations that Bayless did it in, who do you put opposite him right now that you'd want to watch it the same way?"
"If that included him wanting to come on First Take, the bosses at ESPN know that is something I would support. Not every day, but one of those days every week.”
Borrell Associates projects that figure will climb considerably over the next four years as the industry undergoes what it describes as a "great reshuffling."