Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless are back together for the first time in a decade

In a move that few saw coming, longtime sports media personalities Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless are reuniting for the first time in nearly a decade. The two former ESPN colleagues, known for their passionate debates on First Take, have recorded an episode of The Skip Bayless Show, which is expected to be released early next week.

This highly anticipated reunion marks a significant moment in sports media, as fans have long speculated about the nature of their relationship since Bayless‘s departure from ESPN in 2016.

A partnership that defined sports debate shows

Smith and Bayless shared the ESPN stage for years, becoming household names with their animated debates on First Take from 2012 to 2016. Their contrasting styles-Bayless’s fiery hot takes against Smith’s eloquent and often explosive rebuttals-helped shape modern sports debate television.

However, in 2016, Bayless decided to leave ESPN and take on a new challenge at FS1, where he became the face of Undisputed. His exit left First Take in the hands of Smith, who transformed the show into an even bigger success while solidifying his own place as one of the most influential figures in sports media.

While the two moved on in their respective careers, the question of their relationship has lingered.

Though they were once inseparable on-air, Smith has hinted at a personal distance between them since their professional split. In December 2024, during an interview on the Talk With Flee podcast, Smith addressed their strained relationship, explaining that his attempts to maintain communication were not reciprocated.

“When I say we don’t have a relationship, it’s not anything negative from my end,” Smith said.

“It’s me letting you know, ‘Yo, bro, I picked up the phone on several occasions.’ He never called me back.

“To me, if you that kind of person, that doesn’t make you bad, it just means that we can’t vibe. Because I’m gonna answer a call.

“Our relationship goes back too long for me not to get a call from you when I called you. When you made that decision, cool. Live with your decision.

“I will always love Skip, even when I adamantly and emphatically disagree with some of the things he says and does. But the part about not calling me back? Not answering my call? Nah, bro. Anybody that knows me, family included, anybody that knows me knows you don’t get too many shots with that with me. I don’t pick up the phone too often to call you. If you don’t answer my call, you don’t answer my call.”