Skip Bayless reveals how close he was to returning ESPN

Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith changed television forever First recording.

And even though Smith has dominated Bayless in the ratings since Bayless moved up to FS1 in 2016, they continued to flirt from afar. Based on recent comments from Bayless, it seems like their rivalry has almost blossomed back into a partnership recently.

In a current profile in the , he talks about the end of his time at FS1 Washington PostBayless revealed that he had an offer on the table to return to ESPN after his initial contract with the network expired. That deal, which Bayless negotiated in 2021, likely would have put him in place of Max Kellerman, who was soon released First recording as Smith became the unique face of the show.

Only it never happened because Fox exercised its right to match ESPN's offer to Bayless. And Bayless believes it was not only heartbreaking for him and his former debate partner, but also the beginning of the end for him on FS1.

“I was devastated. “Stephen A. was devastated,” Bayless said WaPo's Ben Strauss. “They obviously weren't really happy that I would be so disloyal and try to force my way out of FS1.”

To make matters worse, Strauss reports that talks have continued between Bayless and ESPN about a possible ESPN+ show featuring Bayless and Smith. According to Strauss, these failed after a controversial tirade in which Bayless angered Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott for speaking out about his mental health issues.

At the end of Strauss' profile of Bayless, the now-former FS1 host expresses hope that he can invite Smith to another face-off as he tries to build a network of YouTube shows.

However, Smith's public comments toward Bayless have taken an ambivalent turn in recent months. Smith said that the two rarely speak to each other these days and that the idea of ​​a partnership between the two is “over.”

Like his argument with Undisputed To co-host Shannon Sharpe, it sounds like Bayless is on a completely different page than Smith after their many years on air together.

(Washington Post)