Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith to reunite on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ for one day only

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Skip Bayless is returning to ESPN’s “First Take” — but for a very limited time only.

Skip Bayless will appear with Stephen A. Smith on Friday’s episode of their sports debate show. The network is calling it a special, one-time reunion, as the two haven’t co-hosted the program together in almost a decade.

Skip Bayless was a part of “First Take” from the very beginning in 2007 until his departure from ESPN in 2016. Stephen A. Smith has continued with the show and currently hosts it alongside Shae Cornette.

Someone with knowledge of the plans said Smith suggested inviting Bayless as a special guest, but this person isn’t allowed to speak about it publicly.

Sports

Shae Cornette, a familiar face from ‘SportsCenter,’ is taking over as the host of ‘First Take,’ the well-known ESPN debate show featuring Stephen A. Smith.

Following his time at ESPN, Skip Bayless moved to Fox Sports and co-hosted “Undisputed” with Shannon Sharpe for most of its run from 2016 to 2024. Currently, he hosts his own podcast, “The Skip Bayless Show,” and appears regularly on the digital sports show “The Arena: Gridiron,” featuring Gilbert Arenas.

In 2024, Smith addressed rumors of Bayless possibly re-joining “First Take.”

Stephen A. Smith announced on his podcast that his on-air partnership with Skip Bayless has ended. He clarified that this isn’t new information and emphasized there are no hard feelings between them, stating he’s simply moved past it.

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2026-05-04 20:01