History of Skip Bayless in Timeline
Skip Bayless is an American sports columnist, commentator, and television personality recognized for his outspoken and often controversial opinions. He gained prominence as a commentator on ESPN2's 'First Take' alongside Stephen A. Smith. In September 2016, he launched 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed' with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1, where he served as the lead personality for eight years. Bayless is known for his provocative style and willingness to challenge popular narratives within the sports world.
December 4, 1951: Skip Bayless Born
On December 4, 1951, John Edward Bayless II, known as Skip Bayless, was born. He is an American sports columnist, commentator, and television personality.
1969: Internship at The Daily Oklahoman
In the summer of 1969, Bayless interned under sports editor Frank Boggs at "The Daily Oklahoman."
1970: Graduation from Northwest Classen
In 1970, Bayless graduated as the salutatorian of Northwest Classen's graduating class. He was a member of the National Honor Society, president of the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter, and an officer in the letterman's club.
1974: Graduation from Vanderbilt University
In 1974, Bayless graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University, where he majored in English and history. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and the sports editor of "The Hustler", the university's student newspaper.
August 1976: Joins Los Angeles Times
In August 1976, Bayless took a position at the Los Angeles Times, where he was known for investigative stories.
1977: Eclipse Award for Outstanding Newspaper Writing
In 1977, Bayless won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Newspaper Writing for his coverage of Seattle Slew's Triple Crown victory.
1979: Texas Sportswriter of the Year
In 1979, Bayless was voted Texas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
1984: Texas Sportswriter of the Year
In 1984, Bayless was voted Texas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
1986: Texas Sportswriter of the Year
In 1986, Bayless was voted Texas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
1989: Joins The Sports Reporters
In 1989, Bayless joined host Dick Schaap as a panelist on ESPN's "The Sports Reporters", and was a regular on the show for the next decade.
1989: Publishes God's Coach
In 1989, Bayless wrote his first book, "God's Coach: The Hymns, Hype and Hypocrisy of Tom Landry's Cowboys", about the rise and fall of Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys.
1991: Hosts Sports Talk Radio Show
In 1991, Bayless began a two-year stint hosting a sports talk radio show for Dallas radio station KLIF.
1992: Member of NFL Prime Monday's Roundtable
In 1992, Bayless became a member of the original debate team on NFL Prime Monday's "Knights of the Roundtable" segments with Mitch Albom and Michael Wilbon.
1993: Publishes The Boys
In 1993, following the Cowboys' Super Bowl victory, Bayless wrote "The Boys: The Untold Story of the Dallas Cowboys' Season on the Edge".
1994: Investor in KTCK
In 1994, Bayless became one of the original investors in the Fort Worth radio station KTCK ("the Ticket"), and hosted The Skip Bayless Show.
1996: Leaves KTCK
In 1996, Cumulus Media bought out Bayless's contract at KTCK.
1999: Commentary for the Golf Channel
In 1999, Bayless provided commentary for the Golf Channel from the major golf championships.
2000: Commentary for the Golf Channel
In 2000, Bayless provided commentary for the Golf Channel from the major golf championships.
2000: Illinois Sportswriter of the Year
In 2000, Bayless was voted Illinois sportswriter of the year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.
July 2001: Leaves Chicago Tribune
In July 2001, Bayless left the Chicago Tribune.
2001: Appears on Jim Rome's Show
In 2001, Bayless appeared regularly on Jim Rome's show on Fox Sports Net, "The Last Word."
2001: Guest Host of The Jim Rome Show
In 2001, Bayless became the primary guest host of the syndicated radio program, The Jim Rome Show.
2002: Appears on The Best Damn Sports Show Period
In 2002, Bayless made frequent appearances on Fox's "The Best Damn Sports Show Period."
2003: Becomes a Fixture on Rome is Burning
In 2003, Bayless became a fixture on Rome is Burning when Jim Rome moved to ESPN. He also had a debate segment with Stephen A. Smith on SportsCenter.
2004: Moves Full-Time into Television
In 2004, Bayless moved full-time into television after co-hosting a weekend show on ESPN Radio with Larry Beil.
2004: Hired by ESPN Full-Time
In 2004, ESPN hired Bayless full-time to team up with Woody Paige in daily debate segments called "1st and 10" on ESPN2's Cold Pizza and to write columns for ESPN.com.
2006: Cameo in Rocky Balboa
In 2006, Bayless had a cameo role in the film "Rocky Balboa", along with ESPN colleagues Woody Paige and Jay Crawford. They discussed a possible fight between Rocky and Mason Dixon.
May 2007: Cold Pizza Rebranded as First Take
In May 2007, "Cold Pizza" was rebranded as "First Take", and production moved to Bristol, Connecticut. Around this time, Bayless stopped writing for ESPN.com.
2008: Selected to Oklahoma City Wall of Fame
In 2008, Bayless was selected to the Oklahoma City Wall of Fame, recognizing outstanding alumni of Oklahoma City Public Schools.
2009: Inducted into Vanderbilt Student Media Hall of Fame
In 2009, Bayless was inducted as one of the five members of the inaugural class of the Vanderbilt Student Media Hall of Fame.
2010: Appearance in Pony Excess
In 2010, Bayless appeared in the ESPN 30 for 30 film, "Pony Excess", about the Southern Methodist University football scandal.
2011: Appearance in Herschel
In 2011, Bayless appeared in the ESPNU documentary, "Herschel", about University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker.
August 2012: Resumes Writing for ESPN.com
In August 2012, Bayless resumed writing columns for ESPN.com.
2012: Nominated for Sports Emmy Award
In 2012, Bayless was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award and was the co-recipient of a Webby People's Voice Award for "All He Does Is Win".
April 26, 2016: Parted Ways with ESPN
On April 26, 2016, it was reported that Bayless had parted ways with ESPN and would be moving to Fox Sports after his contract expired in August.
June 2016: Bayless Leaves First Take
In June 2016, Skip Bayless left the ESPN2 show "First Take" where he was a commentator with Stephen A. Smith.
June 21, 2016: Final Appearance on First Take
On June 21, 2016, Bayless made his final appearance on "First Take".
September 2016: Debuts Skip and Shannon: Undisputed
In September 2016, Bayless debuted "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" along with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1.
September 2016: Skip and Shannon: Undisputed Debut
In September 2016, Skip Bayless debuted his show "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1.
September 10, 2020: Criticism for Dak Prescott Remarks
On September 10, 2020, Bayless was criticized for remarks he made about Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, saying that Prescott's statements about suffering from depression were a sign of "weakness".
March 2021: Signs Contract with Fox Sports
In March 2021, Bayless signed a four-year, $32 million contract with Fox Sports.
January 2, 2023: Insensitive Tweet About Damar Hamlin
On January 2, 2023, Bayless made a tweet that was widely described as insensitive regarding Damar Hamlin's hospitalization. He later apologized, but the tweet caused significant backlash and tension with Shannon Sharpe.
August 2023: Relaunch of Undisputed
In August 2023, Bayless relaunched Undisputed with Richard Sherman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Michael Irvin.
August 2, 2024: Leaves Undisputed and Fox Sports 1
On August 2, 2024, Bayless left Undisputed and Fox Sports 1 after 8 years on the network.
August 2024: Bayless departs Undisputed
In August 2024, Bayless departed from Undisputed after leading the show for eight years.
January 5, 2025: Named as Defendant in Lawsuit
On January 5, 2025, Bayless was listed as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji, who alleges Bayless offered her $1.5 million for sex.
