NBA Insider rumored to replace Skip Bayless on FS1
Skip Bayless ended his eight-year run on FS1 on Friday and talk has it that fellow sports TV personality Nick Wright is among those being eyed to replace him.
Quoting veteran sports journalist Michael McCarthy, NBA Central shared the development on X, formerly Twitter. As per McCarthy, with popular Bayless gone, FS1 is now looking to make 39-year-old Wright as the new face of the network.
Wright currently hosts First Things First, also on FS1, along with fellow sports insiders Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes. He has gained quite a following for his varying takes on sports affairs, which are polarizing at times.
In the event he does replace Skip Bayless, he will be filling large shoes, with the veteran sports analyst leaving his mark on the show Undisputed.
Bayless, 72, has been known for his biting commentaries of athletes, notably NBA superstar LeBron James. He oftenly criticizes 'The King' for what he believes as his lack of "killer instinct" in the clutch, which has left many of his viewers divided.
After leaving FS1, Skip Bayless said he intends to pursue other opportunities and is excited for what the future holds for him.
Stephen A. Smith on Skip Bayless leaving FS1
Before joining FOX in 2016, Skip Bayless formed a formidable partnership with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's First Take. And while the two have had their disagreements and have not spoken since they went their separate ways, Smith has nothing but best wishes for Bayless as he exits FS1.
Bayless appeared on his final Undisputed show on Friday, eight years since coming on board and making the sports program among the popular ones on TV. He said it was time for him to pursue other opportunities although he did not go into details.
Once he got wind of the news of Bayless' depature on FS1, Smith shared his thoughts on it, including how he appreciates what the veteran sports anlayst has done for his career and how he only wants the best for him in the next journey.
Smith said on his podcast:
"Skip Bayless and I have not spoken in a long time. He's on that side of the fence, I'm on this side of the fences. But as I've stated on many occasions... I don't root against my colleagues and contemporaries and certainly not my friends ...
"There's a lot of positive things going on in my career and the place that I'm in. Skip Bayless has a lot to do with that. Who knows where I'd be had he not put me on First Take."
Check out what he had to say below, beginning at 51:24:
Incidentally, Bayless' longtime partner on Undisputed, Shannon Sharpe, joined Smith on First Take last year.