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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Post reported July 15 that Skip Bayless, the iconic host of Fox Sports 1's Undisputed, was leaving later this summer. Neither he nor the network had anything to say about it — until Friday.
More news: Report: Skip Bayless Leaving 'Undisputed'; What's Next For the Fox Sports Icon?
Immediately after the airing of Undisputed, Bayless confirmed the news on his Twitter/X account.
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"Today was my last show on Undisputed," Bayless wrote. "I'm leaving FS1. I've been planning to pursue other opportunities for several months. I had a great 8-year run with a lot of great people at Fox, but now I'm excited for what's coming up. Stay tuned."
The post confirms that Bayless is not only stepping aside from the show he has hosted since its inception on Sept. 6, 2016, but is leaving the network altogether.
Bayless, 72, would be in line with most his age should he choose to disappear into retirement. However, his post suggests he is planning to stay in the limelight in some capacity.
That capacity won't be with ESPN.
Read more: ESPN Comments On Possible Skip Bayless Reunion Following Reported Fox Sports Exit
The leading sports network confirmed weeks ago that Bayless won't be rejoining the company that launched him to television stardom decades ago. A spokesperson for ESPN told Front Office Sports on July 15: "We are set with the current First Take rotation, and wish Skip the best on his future endeavors."
In 2004, Bayless transitioned from his role as a newspaper columnist into a full-time on-air personality at ESPN. He gained national prominence as a verbal sparring partner opposite Stephen A. Smith on First Take in 2007.
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Skip and Shannon: Undisputed debuted on FS1 as Bayless brought along his trademark unapologetic style of sports commentary from ESPN to Fox's fledging all-sports network — this time opposite retired NFL wide receiver Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe left the show after the 2023 NBA Finals.
Since then, Bayless has hosted the program with a rotating team of guest panelists. The future of the show without its titular host is unclear.
In March 2021, the New York Post reported Bayless had signed a new four-year, $32 million contract with Fox that placed him in a rare salary range for a sports broadcaster. As cord-cutting has forced the cable industry to slash costs, it's all but certain Bayless' next contract will not be as lucrative.
Will his longtime fans follow him into his next venture? It's disputable.
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