Shannon Sharpe Confirms Skip Bayless Was One of the Reasons for Fox Sports Breakup: ‘We’re Supposed to Be Teammates’
Shannon Sharpe revealed that the way he was treated by Skip Bayless did play some role in his decision to leave Fox Sports 1 and later join ESPN.
Sharpe famously left the network at the end the 2022-23 NBA season after seven years as Bayless’ counterpart on the hit debate show Undisputed. The show went on hiatus until suitable partners were found for Bayless.
Months later, it was announced that Sharpe would be joining rival ESPN as part of First Take’s weekly rotation of on-air talent.
Though the reason for the split was never explicitly stated, Sharpe liked several tweets from fans claiming Bayless disrespected him to a point of no return. That theory stemmed from a fiery on-air exchange in which Bayless accused Sharpe — a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame — of being jealous of NFL star Tom Brady.
Stephen A. Smith, Sharpe’s new co-host on First Take, offered his own version of events when he went on The Joe Budden Podcast and said Sharpe was pushed out.
On a recent episode of Cam Newton’s podcast Funky Friday, Sharpe opened up about the breakup and Bayless’ role in it.
“Maybe it was a combination of things,” Sharpe told Newton. “Maybe there were some things that I could’ve done differently. Maybe I should’ve just had a conversation with Skip before it even got to that point, maybe said something differently. I don’t know. It’s really hard to say.”
Sharpe then likened the situation to a long-term relationship, stating it’s “easier to grow apart than grow together.” He theorized that perhaps his time at Fox had run its course.
When Newton asked if Bayless’ comments impacted the decision, Sharped admitted he didn’t appreciate them.
“If somebody else had said what Skip said, I wouldn’t have batted an eye,” Sharpe said, “But we’re supposed to be teammates, and I think that’s what hurt me more than anything. My teammate, that’s what he thought of me… Nothing gets you more upset than when your boys hit you low.
“Me and my homeboys, we joke a lot; but I know where not to go. You can joke, but let’s not go there. Let’s not play in that area.”
