Skip Bayless was on his way back to ESPN.
Then he wasn’t, but because ESPN wanted him so badly, FOX Sports had to give him an enormous raise.
I am not mad at Skip for this.
ESPN made a full-court press to reunite Skip Bayless with Stephen A. Smith, The Post has learned.
The duo would have done a daily ESPN+ show together, while being splashed over ESPN, including weekly spots on “Monday Night Football’s” halftime show.
After lengthy negotiations, it culminated in Fox Sports retaining Bayless with a four-year, $32 million contract, according to sources.
As part of the agreement, Bayless, a professional provocateur, continues to do his daily morning sports debate show on FS1’s “Undisputed” with Shannon Sharpe. Bayless and FS1 are in the early planning stage of a potential second daily show for the afternoons. At this point, Bayless is expected to be a solo act for the program.
ESPN offered Skip anywhere between $26-30 million to make the switch, but when FOX sweeten the deal he decided to stay.
Shannon Sharpe’s whose contract is also coming up currently makes $3 million a year and is looking for a massive raise.
ESPN was going to make Skip and Stephen A. Smith the faces of the Network, but alas Stephen A. will have to carry ESPN on his back for a little while longer.
Flip the pages for the best of Skip.
