Skip Bayless may have “saved” Stephen A. Smith’s career, but those days and the pair’s time working together are “a long time ago,” according to the “First Take” personality, who spoke about the topic on Friday.
The Washington Post first reported that Bayless would soon be leaving FS1’s “Undisputed” after eight years, sending shockwaves through the sports media world and leaving people wondering what his next move would be.
On his eponymous podcast, Smith shot down the idea of working with Bayless again, either at ESPN or elsewhere.
“Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith’s time as partners working opposite each other on a debate show is over. It’s over.” Smith says.
“This is not the first time I’ve said that. I have no negativity or backbiting towards Skip Bayless. I’ve moved on.”
Smith informed viewers that there would be no TV reunion.
“That’s over now,” Smith said. “Having a relationship or rekindling a relationship with Skip Bayless is not where I want my future to be. It’s a past that I will always celebrate and be grateful for, but it’s not where I am right now. I have bigger plans that don’t include him or anyone else as a partner.”
Smith said on his show Wednesday that the two hadn’t spoken in a long time, since Bayless left ESPN for FS1 in 2016.
“He’s on that side of the fence, I’m on this side of the fence.” Smith said, as reported by Awful Announcing..
Before Smith could offer his opinion on the situation, an ESPN spokesperson had already closed the door on “First Take” to Bayless.
“We are prepared with our current ‘First Take’ rotation and wish Skip all the best in his future endeavors,” the outlet told Front Office Sports this week.
Smith maintained he wasn’t aware of ESPN’s statement before it was released, but said his answer would have been the same.
Bayless, 72, is scheduled to play his final show later this summer, meaning he will be left helmless for now until he can secure another position.
Although Smith was very firm in his tone, he also sprinkled some consideration into his message.
“But as I’ve said many times before, I’m not rooting for my colleagues or contemporaries, much less my friends,” Smith said. “Just because I want to be on First Take and be No. 1 doesn’t mean I want to see Skip Bayless fail or see him go from this business to this day.”
