Skip Bayless will reunite with Stephen A. Smith in one-time ESPN return
Skip Bayless will reunite with Stephen A. Smith for a one-time appearance on ESPN's 'First Take' after a decade-long separation. The reunion marks a rare collaboration since Bayless left ESPN for Fox Sports in 2016, ending their long-standing on-air partnership. Though past efforts to reunite failed due to contractual issues, the two have recently reconnected through podcasts and public appearances leading up to this event.
- ▪Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith will reunite for a one-time episode of ESPN's 'First Take' in 2026.
- ▪The duo previously worked together for nearly 16 years before Bayless moved to Fox Sports in 2016.
- ▪Bayless revealed in 2024 that ESPN attempted to rehire him in 2020, but Fox matched and sweetened their offer, keeping him at FS1.
- ▪The pair previously collaborated on Bayless' podcast in March 2025 and were photographed together in Beverly Hills in November 2025.
- ▪Stephen A. Smith initially expressed disinterest in reuniting with Bayless, stating he had moved on from the idea.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Sports Entertainment Skip Bayless will reunite with Stephen A. Smith in one-time ESPN return By Michael Blinn Published May 4, 2026, 11:27 p.m. ET ESPN is running it back. The Worldwide Leader is bringing Skip Bayless back to do battle with his longtime co-host Stephen A. Smith on “First Take” in a one-time reunion on Friday. The legendary sports debaters worked together on the show for nearly 16 years until Bayless departed for Fox Sports — a move that saw the pair enter a yearslong feud. 3 Stephen A. Smith poses on the red carpet at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. REUTERS The hot-take artist, 74, exited FS1 in 2024, stirring up rumors of him making a return to ESPN alongside Smith, though the latter wasn’t exactly into the idea.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
