Skip Bayless To Exit ESPN

Skip Bayless

Polarizing ESPN co-host Skip Bayless is leaving the network after more than a decade, and he is widely expected to land at rival network Fox Sports 1, according to CNN.

Tuesday's announcement disappointed his fans, but was cause for celebration among others.
Bayless was controversial inside ESPN as well as outside. Some staffers thought his presence on the network was downright embarrassing.

His presence attracted viewers to the ESPN2 talk show "First Take," which will continue without him. Stephen A Smith and Molly Qerim will be joined by a new host to be named later.

ESPN said Bayless's "final appearance on 'First Take' will be the day after the NBA Finals conclude" in June.

His contract expires at the end of August, so he likely will not appear on Fox or any other network until the fall.

This is the latest loss of big-name talent at ESPN: Last year, for various reasons, Keith Olbermann, Bill Simmons, Jason Whitlock and Colin Cowherd left. Earlier this week, Mike Tirico chose to say goodbye after a quarter-century and move to NBC Sports, where, it appears, he may get a shot at replacing Al Michaels on “Sunday Night Football” and Bob Costas as the Olympics prime-time host.