The Skip Bayless era at Fox Sports will conclude later this summer. According to sources familiar with the decision, the longtime co-host of FS1’s “Undisputed” and Fox Sports have agreed to part ways.
The news was first reported by the New York Post’s Ryan Glasspiegel.
Bayless joined Fox Sports in 2016 with significant fanfare after 12 years at ESPN, where he played a prominent role on “First Take” alongside Stephen A. Smith. While ESPN sought to retain him, Fox Sports made a considerably larger offer, prompting Bayless to move West.
Fox Sports executives committed to creating a debate show centered around Bayless’s persona, leading to the creation of “Undisputed.” The show gained an audience through Bayless and his co-host Shannon Sharpe, particularly on social media platforms, but struggled to achieve similar success on television after Sharpe left for ESPN in 2023. Sharpe has since signed a multi-year deal with ESPN to remain a key figure on “First Take” with Smith.
Regarding viewership issues, Sports Media Watch editor Jon Lewis noted that a late February episode of “Undisputed” drew just 50,000 viewers, compared to a first-round Dubai Open tennis match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Shevchenko, which averaged 54,000 viewers on Tennis Channel.
Fox Sports declined to comment on the situation.
Sources indicated that there is a possibility the “Undisputed” name could be retired and replaced with a new show, although discussions on this matter are ongoing.