Skip Bayless Returns to ESPN's First Take for One-Time Debate with Stephen A. Smith Friday

Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith will debate each other on ESPN’s First Take this Friday for the first time in nearly a decade.

ESPN announced Monday that Bayless will join Smith for a one-time reunion in Los Angeles. Bayless last appeared on the show in June 2016 before leaving ESPN for FS1.

The dynamics have changed. First Take used to be Bayless’s show. He asked Smith to join as a full-time debate partner in 2012, when Smith had just returned to ESPN as a radio host without a television platform. Now Smith ranks among the biggest names in sports media. Bayless no longer has a television show after leaving FS1 in 2024 and serves as a contributor to Gilbert Arenas’ YouTube platform.

ESPN called the appearance a one-time reunion, wording that shuts down talk of Bayless returning as a full-time host or weekly contributor like Chris "Mad Dog" Russo.

Smith once said he had moved on with no interest in reuniting. Plans change.

Most ESPN shows are up double digits year over year, a surge that coincided with less political and racial dialogue. First Take stands out. Get Up, which airs before it, is up 18%. The Pat McAfee Show, which follows, is up 16%. First Take has risen just 5%, below the standard Big Data plus panel bump.

In an industry where growth matters, ESPN management and Smith know the trends. They hope Bayless delivers a boost.

Bayless no longer moves the needle like he did when he left ESPN 10 years ago. Undisputed averaged 30,000 viewers near the end of his FS1 run. He recently stopped his podcast, The Skip Bayless Show, which drew only a few thousand YouTube views per episode.

Bayless cannot fix things if Smith is the issue. Since signing a $100 million contract last year, Smith has seemed uninterested. His rants repeat, contain errors and misidentify players or discuss inactive ones. His political commentary may distract him from hosting a daily two-hour sports debate show.

Bayless, known for obsessive preparation, may highlight Smith’s weak grasp of current sports and make him look worse.

ESPN plans other guests to lift First Take viewership: rapper Cam’ron on May 5 and comedian Kid Mero on May 7.

Bayless expressed excitement about his return.