Alright, buckle up, because the news dropped and it is a certified bomb: Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith are officially reuniting on ESPN’s First Take. If you thought those two were done sparking the most heated debates in sports media, you just were not paying attention. This is happening, and it is going to be *wild*.
The OG Duo Is Back in the Building
Stephen A. himself made the announcement Friday on his radio show, which broadcasts on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio. This is not some casual guest spot, folks. Bayless is slated to appear on First Take on the *last Friday of every single month*. Think about the takes we are going to get! Plus, he is also going to be on Smith’s radio show every Friday. Bayless, a First Take staple for over a decade, left for FOX Sports in 2016. Seriously, who else brings that level of intense, unyielding opinion? They even linked up for a one-off episode back in May, but now we are talking about a *regular* slot, even if it is just once a month for the TV show. The dynamic is back!
Bayless’ Media Blitz and First Take’s Shifting Landscape
Let us be real, Bayless has been making moves. He just wrapped up an eight-year run with Fox Sports, announcing the end of his show *Undisputed* and his time with the network in 2024. But he has not been sitting still. Just days before this First Take news broke, Front Office Sports reported he had filmed a reunion show with Shannon Sharpe for Sharpe’s *Club Shay Shay* podcast. And like he is not busy enough, Bayless also recently announced he is relaunching his *Gridiron with Aqib Talib* podcast this very Friday. Talk about a comeback tour! Meanwhile, First Take has been navigating its own path. ESPN reported in May that the show averaged 517,000 viewers from January through April 2025. That is actually a solid five percent bump over the same period in 2025. But hey, it has not been all smooth sailing. The show parted ways with former regulars Ryan Clark and Cam Newton in a round of layoffs earlier this summer. You have to wonder what bringing back a huge name like Bayless means for that lineup, right?
Get Ready: The Showdown Returns Soon!
So, what is the bottom line? Get your calendars out, highlight Friday, September 25. That is the date Bayless is set to make his next appearance on First Take. You know that episode is going to be absolute fire. Will the legendary chemistry between him and Stephen A. still be scorching hot? Are we about to witness some iconic, debate-worthy moments right out of the gate? My gut tells me this is going to be essential viewing. Do not miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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