Emily Garbutt
Updated on: October 8, 2024 6:24 am GMT
Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, two prominent figures in sports media, have reportedly drifted apart following a controversy involving Shannon Sharpe. This development comes in the wake of Bayless’s departure from FS1 and has drawn attention from fans and industry insiders alike. The tension, rooted in an incident from December 2022, has dramatically changed the dynamics of their once-close relationship.
Tension from Past Incidents
In December 2022, Skip Bayless made remarks about Shannon Sharpe’s NFL career during a segment on his FS1 talk show, “Undisputed.” His comments were perceived as personal attacks, which contributed to a rift that ultimately led to Sharpe leaving FS1 in 2023. Stephen A. Smith, who co-hosted “First Take” with Bayless before he left ESPN for FS1 in 2016, did not shy away from criticizing Bayless’s remarks. On Cris Carter’s “Fully Loaded” podcast, Smith stated that he called Bayless to express how “wrong” he was in that situation, particularly referencing how he treated Sharpe.
Smith explained that after he reached out to Bayless, the latter did not return his call. “I thought he was wrong about Shannon. I thought what he did to Shannon was flagrantly wrong. And I called him, and he never reached back out. So, I stopped reaching out,” Smith noted. This lack of response marked a significant turning point in their relationship.
The Shift in Relationship Dynamics
Over the past 12 to 18 months, Bayless and Smith have had minimal interaction, with Smith mentioning that they had only one meeting in that timeframe. Their last significant conversation occurred after Bayless publicly criticized Smith over comments he made on another podcast. This ongoing tension has left Smith feeling that their relationship has changed irreparably, although he maintains that he wishes no ill will towards Bayless.
“We don’t speak much anymore,” Smith said. “He got upset over something he thought I said to JJ Redick, and he went on his podcast and attacked me for about 45 minutes.” Following that podcast, Smith sought to resolve the miscommunication with a face-to-face meeting in California. Despite this, Smith acknowledged that their relationship has not recovered fully since that moment.
Smith’s Competitive Stance
Following Bayless’s exit from FS1 earlier this month, the competitive landscape in sports media is shifting again. In a recent ESPN media day event, Smith openly declared his intent to dominate any upcoming rival programs. “Whoever goes up against me, I’m taking them down,” Smith stated. This pledge further underscores his commitment to maintaining high ratings for “First Take,” which typically averages around 500,000 viewers per episode. In contrast, “Undisputed” had recently been averaging around 50,000 viewers.
The dynamics of viewership and competition have shifted considerably. In light of Bayless’s departure and Sharpe’s switch back to ESPN, FS1 has revamped its morning lineup with a new show called “The Facility,” featuring other ex-NFL players. Smith reflected on the competitive aspects, stating that the narrative of an arduous competition was overstated. “The biggest misnomer that was ever made was there was competition at the 10 o’clock hour… They came within half of our ratings twice,” he noted.
Smith’s Media Journey
Before rising to prominence as a television personality, Stephen A. Smith had a distinguished career in print journalism, notably serving as a reporter and columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer for 16 years. His transition from traditional journalism to sports talk was motivated by a desire for a format that allowed him to express his opinions more freely and in-depth. Smith has mentioned moments of regret in his past journalism, particularly in how he publicly criticized individuals and institutions, thus leading him to ensure more diligence in his reporting.
During his tenure at The Inquirer, he covered the Philadelphia 76ers, breaking significant news, especially during the Allen Iverson era. Eventually frustrated with limitations on his reporting during critical periods, Smith made the leap to more dynamic media formats where he felt he could engage with audiences more effectively. This decision has evidently paid off, as he is slated to earn around $18 million annually under his latest ESPN deal.
Legacy and Future Outlook
As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to change, both Smith and Bayless must navigate new challenges and competitive pressures in their respective formats. While Smith’s outspoken nature has defined his current role at ESPN, Bayless’s departure from FS1 signals a potential shift in his career trajectory. As they adapt to these evolving dynamics, their previous camaraderie and shared history will likely remain a talking point among fans and media analysts.
Even though they have different opinions, Smith says he doesn’t feel any anger toward Bayless. He understands that their relationship is complicated because it has lasted a long time. As people in the sports world wonder what will happen next for both of them, one thing is obvious: the competition between ESPN and FS1 is stronger than ever. This could lead to even more exciting news in sports media.
