Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless posingStephen A Smith and Skip Bayless (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Paley Center for Media)
Stephen A Smith has finally broken his silence after he spent part of his podcast on Wednesday speaking on former ESPN partner Skip Bayless, who is reportedly leaving FS1’s “Undisputed.”

The New York Post’s Ryan Glasspiegel shocked the sporting world when he reported Monday that Bayless would be leaving his role on FS1’s Undisputed later this summer.

Alongside Stephen A Smith, Bayless helped reshape the sports media landscape during their time together on First Take.

Bayless and Smith’s individual careers have evolved since the former’s departure from ESPN in 2016, but now that he is on his way out, his old friend had to speak on it.

On the latest episode of his podcast, Stephen A Smith spoke on his relationship and history with Bayless, dated well before their time on First Take.

“Where I am, where I’ve been, and especially where the hell I’m going with the stuff I’ve got coming down the pike in a matter of months… none of it’s possible if Skip Bayless doesn’t extend that helping hand and bring me on First Take,” Smith said.

“I’ll never forget that. I never have, I never will,” Smith continued. “You want to hold on to something that I have to say about Skip Bayless, hold on to that.”

Smith also shockingly revealed that they haven’t spoken in a long time, but he finds no enjoyment in leaving Fox Sports.

“As the reports have said, they’ve had some ratings struggles. I’m not about to get into that,” Smith said. “I’m not going to play that game. Skip Bayless, and I have not spoken in a long time. He’s on that side of the fence, I’m on this side of the fences.

“But as I’ve stated on many occasions … I don’t root against my colleagues and contemporaries and certainly not my friends. … Being on First Take and wanting to be No. 1 doesn’t mean I wanted Skip Bayless to fail, doesn’t mean that I want to see him out of the business.”

He added, “I have not called him, I’m not going to because I know what this moment must be like for him,” Smith said.

The viewership for Undisputed fell off a cliff as soon as Shannon Sharpe left and joined First Take.

 

When it is all said and done, Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless might both be out of a job as ESPN reportedly put a contract worth $18 million on the table, and he turned it down.

ESPN Rules Against Reunion Between Skip Bayless And The Company Stephen A Smith

ESPN wasted little time ruling out a reunion between Skip Bayless and Stephen A Smith, with Bayless reportedly on the way out at Fox Sports.

An ESPN spokesman said to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, “We are set with the current First Take rotation, and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors.”

Sports Fans Want Female ESPN Reporter To Permanently Replace Stephen A Smith After She Filled In For Him On ‘First Take’

Stephen A Smith in pink suitStephen A Smith (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Fans want Courtney Cronin to remain on as the host of ESPN’s ‘First Take’ following recent appearances on the show.

Cronin has been filling in for Stephen A Smith lately and has struck a chord with viewers as she has put her football knowledge on display.

While she’s unlikely to replace Smith, even if that’s what fans might want, there’s always the possibility of her having more time on the air, which should be satisfactory enough.

“Going to scream this on my deathbed but Andraya Carter should be a NBA lead for ESPN and Courtney Cronin for the NFL,” a user posted to X/Twitter. “Ball knowers should not be treated like second class while buffoons yelling s*** with no substance get promoted.”

“You’re my new favorite Courtney!!!” said another.

Time will tell whether ESPN hears the fanbase, but it appears Courtney Cronin has given an excellent account of herself while holding on for Stephen A Smith.

A reporter for the Chicago Bears, Cronin joined ESPN in 2017. She previously covered the Minnesota Vikings and worked as a radio host, but she switched to covering the Bears in 2022.

Also Read: NBA Fans Are in an Uproar After Finding Out How Much Stephen A. Smith Will Get Paid Through His New Contract With ESPN

So Where Is Stephen A Smith?

Stephen A Smith is on vacation, but he is actively negotiating a new contract with The Worldwide Leader in Sports.

The outspoken analyst could be in line for a new four-year deal that would pay him up to $25 million a year and make him the company’s first $100 million television talent.

‘First Take’ his main gig, appears to be in great hands, and not just because Cronin is around now. Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has become one of the network’s biggest draws, while the likes of Molly Qerim, Chris Russo, Ryan Clark, and Kendrick Perkins are all ESPN stars in their own right.

Still, whether Cronin sticks around after Stephen A. returns remains to be seen.