Ex-NFL player Marcellus Wiley explained how complicated Skip Bayless’ legacy is the wake of the news that he’ll soon leave the Fox Sports debate show Undisputed.
The New York Post on Monday reported that Bayless will be leaving the show this summer. He’s hosted the show since its inception in 2016.
Bayless rose to prominence during his time at ESPN thanks to his fiery exchanges on First Take with Stephen A. Smith. After 12 years with the network, he moved to Fox Sports and created his own debate show in Undisputed. Bayless handpicked NFL legend Shannon Sharpe to co-host the show.
Last summer, Sharpe left the Fox Sports and joined ESPN. He’s hinted at Skip’s treatment of him playing a role in his decision to leave.
Bayless is considered by many to be the pioneer of the modern sports debate show format. According to Wiley, sports talk may be worse off as a result of his impact.
“It’s tough to respect fully what Skip did because he was taking shots at what he was doing,” Wiley said on his YouTube channel. “He was taking shots at what he was supposed to be covering. He literally was out there — and he hijacked sports media worse than anybody else. And this is why I understand why people are dancing on his grave, because I even have resentment toward Skip in this way.”
Wiley added that Bayless “changed the whole complexion and discourse” around sports, allowing those who know little about sports to be feel validated in their criticisms.
“So now, I can sit here in the stands with a big belly and a beer and talk trash about you,” Wiley said, “and it’s valid! It’s validated by somebody who’s the biggest thing talking.”
Fox Sports has not responded to the report of Bayless leaving the show, but Wiley suggested that ratings likely played a role in it. Undisputed went on a months-long hiatus after Sharpe’s departure and was routinely pummeled in viewership by First Take when it came back.
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