Skip Bayless took a shot at his old employer and provided more insight behind his stunning departure from FS1 after an eight-year run with the network.
The controversial sports personality left ESPN in 2016 and joined FS1 to co-host their new “Undisputed” program with Pro Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe. Before arriving at FS1, Skip Bayless worked at the Worldwide Leader In Sports for nine years, spending the last four with Stephen A. Smith on “First Take.”
Since signing off from FS1 last month, Bayless has been busy hosting “The Skip Bayless Show” on YouTube. During the latest edition, Bayless revealed that he left FS1 on his own terms, citing his wish to speak more freely without being handcuffed by the higher-ups:
“The NFL season is about to start, along with my new life. I have waited a long time for this moment. I am finally free. Free to unleash in ways I never have. Free to give you every bit of me without boundaries or handcuffs or fear of suspension.
I recently left FS1, an exit I had planned for several months because I wanted to do this. I wanted to be my own boss. To bet on myself. To break free from the TV networks I’ve worked for for 35 years. For 35 years, I’ve been told, ‘Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! Careful! Careful! Careful!’ I’ve tiptoed, sidestepped, pulled punches…No more bosses with huge egos and hidden agendas. No more games that have to be played behind closed network doors. Now I’m free to be one thousand percent me.”
Bayless and Sharpe co-hosted “Undisputed” together for seven years before the NFL legend left last summer. He then landed with ESPN and works with Smith on the “First Take” show that crushed “Undisputed in TV ratings, especially after Sharpe switched networks.
Also Read: Stephen A. Smith Gives Surprising Update On His Current Relationship With Skip Bayless
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After Sharpe left, FS1 assigned various talents to work with Bayless on “Undisputed.” This included NFL legends Richard Sherman and Michael Irvin, Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce and beloved rapper Lil Wayne.
“Undisputed” was canceled last month after an eight-year run.
Bayless is one of the most polarizing figures in sports media. But at the end of the day, his controversial hot takes always draw responses and ratings. So don’t be surprised if he’s picked up by another major network sooner rather than later.
FS1 Has Changed Its Lineup Following Skip Bayless’ Departure
Less than a month after Bayless exited FS1, the network announced a new lineup of programs. At 8:00 a.m. EST on weekdays, Craig Carton, Mark Schlereth and Danny Parkins will host “Breakfast Ball.”
Former NFL players LeSean McCoy, Emmanuel Acho, James Jones and Chase Daniel will host “The Facility” at 10:00 a.m. EST, followed by “SPEAK” with Joy Taylor, Paul Pierce and Keyshawn Johnson (5:00 p.m. EST).
We’ll find out in the coming months how FS1’s new shows do from a ratings standpoint in the post-Skip Bayless era.
Also Read: RUMOR: Skip Bayless Is Starting His Own Show With Popular Rapper Lil’ Wayne
