“SKIP BAYLESS PLAYED A ROLE IN RESTORING MY CAREER” - STEPHEN A. SMITH REFUSES TO BLAME SKIP BAYLESS FOR SHANNON SHARPE’S EXIT FROM FOX SPORTS’ UMBRELLA

On the latest episode of his podcast, Stephen A. Smith emphasized the role of Skip Bayless in his sports media career. Highlighting how he would never speak ill of ‘his man’ despite rumors unfurling about the latter’s dictatorship nature forcing Shannon Sharpe to leave Fox Sports, Smith credited the Undisputed host for making him the ‘star’ of the No. 1 sports morning show.

“I sincerely hope, regardless of what opinion that I’m about to give, that y’all don’t make the mistake of assuming that I’m going to speak against my man, Skip Bayless. That’s not going to happen. Remember when I told you that I was the star of the No. 1 sports morning show for the last 11 ½ years? The first four years of that were with Skip Bayless. I’m never in that position if it were not for Skip Bayless,” exclaimed SAS.

Skip fought for SAS

ESPN’s famous talk show ‘First Take’ commenced in 2007, but it was only in 2011 that the show caught the attention of avid basketball fans, courtesy of Skip Bayless. At that time, SAS was a regular guest on the show. Eventually, it was Bayless who ‘fought’ with the management to get secure a permanent role for Stephen A. Smith in 2012.

“Skip Bayless asked me to come on ‘First Take’.....Skip Bayless permitted me to come on ‘First Take.’ Skip Bayless fought for me to come on ‘First Take.’ Skip Bayless played a role in restoring my career that I felt had been wrongly taken from me. I will never disrespect him,” added Smith.

For those unaware - the 55-year-old analyst started his career as a print columnist, working for newspapers, before landing his own show called ‘Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith’ on ESPN in 2005. However, things went haywire when ESPN abandoned his show, leading to his departure in 2009, being out of a regular-pay job.

This is just why, regardless of what the media narrative might be about Skip, SAS made it perfectly clear how he will never throw Bayless under the bus.

Stephen A. wants Shannon Sharpe to join First Take

With the legendary Denver Broncos tight end reaching a buyout agreement with Turner Sports, SAS urged him to join First Take.

“I don’t know what his plans are. I don’t know what he’s after. But if Shannon Sharpe needs me, I’m happy to be here for him,” Smith said. “And if that included him wanting to come on First Take, the bosses at ESPN know that is something that I would support.”

Imagining elite talents like Sharpe and Smith sharing a stage would be massive, especially given the acumen and knowledge of both these sports media veterans. Could this be the making of the greatest new age-television duo? Hopefully, Sharpe responds soon.

2023-06-04T09:46:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd