• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
exclusive
Media

Despite Dak Prescott Backlash, Skip Bayless Poised For New TV Deal

  • Critics called for Bayless’ firing for his comments on Prescott’s depression.
  • Host of FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ could get a slight raise on a $6 million annual salary.
skip_bayless
Fox Sports

Skip Bayless is nearing the finish line on a contract extension with Fox Sports, sources tell Front Office Sports. 

The news comes just weeks after Bayless outraged many when he called Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s openness about his depression a sign of weakness.

Bayless’ new deal is not finalized yet, but he’s expected to get a slight raise on his $6 million annual salary in a new contract extension.

Fox declined to comment on this story.

There have been talks about Bayless reuniting with his former TV partner Stephen A. Smith at ESPN’s “First Take.” The former sparring partners call each other their “brother from another mother” and have made no secret of their desire to work together again.

But the pending TV free agent wants to stay with FS1 in Los Angeles and Fox executives want to keep Bayless, sources said. 

Still, nothing is finalized yet. The negotiations between 68-year-old Bayless and Fox are going right down to the wire since his current contract is set to expire this month, said sources. 

Networks typically lock up their top on-air talents months — or even years — before their deals expire, to make sure they don’t hit the free agent market.

However, the recent controversy involving Bayless’ comments about Prescott put a major bump in negotiations, said sources.

skip bayless talking

Skip Bayless Contract Talks to Test Fox Sports and Upended TV Market

Skip Bayless may have run into his toughest opponent: the coronavirus pandemic.…
May 19, 2020

Bayless glories in his reputation as the enfant terrible of sports TV. But his recent on-air comments about the 27-year-old Prescott crossed the line for many critics.

After Prescott shared his feelings of depression and anxiety over the coronavirus pandemic and the loss of his older brother Jace in April to suicide, Bayless was unmoved.

Even if his TV viewers condemned him as “cold-blooded,” Bayless told partner Shannon Sharpe the quarterback was making a big mistake going public with his mental health struggles. 

Social media exploded with fury and disgust over his comments. 

ESPN‘s Damien Woody called him a “clown.” Ex-ESPN colleague Keith Olbermann tweeted he should be fired immediately. Even Fox publicly rebuked Bayless, but the network didn’t suspend its morning TV star.

“At FOX Sports, we are proud of Dak Prescott for publicly revealing his struggle with depression and mental health. No matter the cause of the struggles, FOX Sports believes Dak showed tremendous courage which is evident in both his leadership on the Dallas Cowboys and in his character off the field,” the network said in a statement. “We do not agree with Skip Bayless’ opinion on ‘Undisputed’ this morning. We have addressed the significance of this matter with Skip and how his insensitive comments were received by people internally at Fox Sports and our audience.”

Bayless said his comments were “misconstrued by many.” But he declined to apologize. 

His show’s audience grew to 302,000 viewers the first episode after the controversy from the previous 175,000, according to Ryan Glasspiegel of OutKick

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 16, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) looks to pass as Memphis Tigers forward Dain Dainja (42) defends during the first half at Dickies Arena.

Projected NBA First-Rounder Picks Michigan Over Entering Draft

Houston’s Milos Uzan also withdrew from the NBA draft.
Cousins

Kirk Cousins, James Cook Among Prominent NFL OTA Absences

The NFL’s 2024 rushing touchdowns leader was among the absences Tuesday.
Ted Leonsis
exclusive

Where Do the Mystics Fit in a Rapidly Evolving WNBA?

The WNBA is increasingly divided between the new- and old-guard owners.
Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate their 34-23 win over Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
exclusive

Fox Was Willing to Move Ohio-State Texas from Noon to Primetime. Texas..

The game would have moved from Saturday to Sunday.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
Around the Horn

Behind the Scenes of Around the Horn’s Final Days

FOS followed Tony Reali at the penultimate taping of the ESPN icon.
May 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers’s WNBA Debut Delivers 121% Ratings Bump on Ion

Friday’s doubleheader averaged 612,000 viewers.
May 22, 2025

NBC Eyes MLB Rights, Looks to Own Sunday Nights Year-Round

The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches as center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after making a three point basket to clinch a win against the Toronto Raptors near the end of the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena.
May 20, 2025

NBA Playoff TV Ratings Up 3% Ahead of Late-Round Test

Games are averaging 4.17 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Scottie Scheffler is interviewed after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.
May 20, 2025

PGA Championship TV Ratings Dip As Scottie Scheffler Dominates Again

CBS drew an average of 4.76 million viewers for Sunday’s final round.
May 20, 2025

Caitlin Clark, Fever Draw Record 2.7M Viewers vs. Sky

Caitlin Clark recorded her third career triple-double.
Julie Foudy
exclusive
May 16, 2025

Julie Foudy Out at ESPN After Two Decades

Foudy and ESPN failed to reach an agreement on a new deal.