Skip Bayless’ eight-year run at Fox Sports ended without a televised word from a man who has never been one to hold his tongue.
For Bayless, he went with the business-as-usual approach for “Undisputed” on Friday alongside co-hosts Paul Pierce and Keyshawn Johnson as news circulated that he was parting ways with Fox.
After the show, Bayless posted on X confirming that today was indeed his last show despite no mention of it on the broadcast of the show.
“Today was my last show on Undisputed,” Bayless said. “I’m leaving FS1. I’ve been planning to pursue other opportunities for several months. I had a great 8-year run with a lot of great people at FOX, but now I’m excited for what’s coming up. Stay tuned.”
X / @undisputed
The Post’s Ryan Glasspiegel first reported that Bayless’ Fox Sports days were numbered.
Marcellus Wiley noted that Friday was to be Bayless’ final episode.
“I was given information that (Friday) will be Skip Bayless’s last day on FS1,” Wiley, who previously worked at the network, said on his podcast Thursday.
Prior to and during the show, the 72-year-old Bayless nor Fox Sports had discussed his departure since The Post’s bombshell report was released on July 15, something Wiley says is by design.
“What’s interesting about this departure is, other than the news, the headlines, how anti-climactic it is in terms of nothing publicly has been said by Skip Bayless,” the ex-NFLer said. “Nothing making headlines. And frankly, internally, a lot of people in the building are saying, ‘We’re not talking about it either.’ Maybe that’s by design, or maybe that’s by residue.”
The beginning of Bayless’s end seemed to begin one year ago when NFL Hall of Fame tight end and “Undisputed” sparring partner Shannon Sharpe departed from the show after a couple of contentious debates led to heated exchanges.
Sharpe has since moved on to ESPN’s “First Take” alongside fellow ex-Bayless co-host Stephen A. Smith, both of whom have seen their platforms grow without him.
Sharpe said that he wants to see Bayless succeed without him, but ratings have slumped since his departure from “Undisputed.”
In March, the show averaged its smallest audience since its return from its 2023 hiatus, per Sports Media Watch.
“I don’t know what Skip’s going to do,” Sharpe said. “I wish him the best, but I don’t make the call. ESPN [issued a statement saying Bayless wouldn’t be on ‘First Take’] and Stephen A. said what he said. But at the end of the day, ESPN’s going to make a call. Shannon don’t call the shots at ‘First Take’.”