Skip Bayless caused a social media uproar after unwittingly boosting fake WNBA news.
The former First Take host tweeted late Sunday about a report that Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White had been fired and was being replaced by Iowa head coach Jan Jensen, the college coach of Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Bayless’s tweet came one day after White and Clark had a heated exchange on the bench during the Fever’s loss to the Portland Fire.
“No surprise: Stephanie White reportedly out after repeated in-game clashes with Caitlin Clark. Not saying White was wrong – but YOU CAN’T SHOW UP THE FACE OF THE LEAGUE ON CAMERA. Caitlin obviously wants a favorite of hers from Iowa, Jan Jensen. But no way Jensen can coach both,” Bayless tweeted.
It appears Bayless was fooled by a fake news post from the X/Twitter account @FeverUpdate. The account tweeted at 4:49 p.m. ET Sunday that Jensen is expected to be hired by the Fever, replacing White and taking on a dual-coaching role with Iowa.
An hour later, that account also tweeted false news that Clark was considering leaving the Fever and joining the New York Liberty.
The fake news account has fewer than 1,500 followers, but Bayless has more than 3.1 million.
Bayless’s tweet was soon debunked by multiple reports, and the Fever confirmed to FOS the claim had “no validity.” He reversed course at around 9:30 p.m. ET, but did not acknowledge that he had been duped, instead insinuating there was conflicting reporting.
“Now they’re saying reports are erroneous about Stephanie White,” Bayless wrote. “But the point is, she won’t last much longer clashing during games with CAITLIN CLARK … even if her issues with Caitlin are mostly valid.”
Bayless mostly tweets about the NBA and NFL, but has occasionally talked about the WNBA, though almost exclusively about Caitlin Clark and the Fever.
He has worked independently since leaving FS1 in 2024, but joined Underdog’s The Arena: Gridiron last year; his Twitter now has an Underdog affiliate badge. Underdog did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bayless recently guested on ESPN First Take in a reunion show with former co-host Stephen A. Smith that brought a big ratings bump for the sports talk show. That prompted speculation ESPN could be considering bringing Bayless back.
