History of Skip Bayless in Timeline

Skip Bayless is an American sports commentator and television personality recognized for his prominent roles on sports debate shows. He gained widespread recognition for his often controversial opinions and on-air debates with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's First Take. After leaving ESPN in 2016, Bayless launched Skip and Shannon: Undisputed on Fox Sports 1 alongside Shannon Sharpe. He led Undisputed for eight years before his departure in August 2024. Bayless is known for his provocative style and passionate sports analysis.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 4, 1951: Skip Bayless Born

On December 4, 1951, John Edward Bayless II, now known as Skip Bayless, was born. He would later become a prominent American sports columnist, commentator, and television personality.

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1969: Internship at The Daily Oklahoman

In the summer of 1969, Skip Bayless interned at The Daily Oklahoman under sports editor Frank Boggs, gaining experience in sports journalism.

1970: Graduation as Salutatorian

In 1970, Skip Bayless graduated as the salutatorian of Northwest Classen High School. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and an officer in various school clubs.

1974: Graduation from Vanderbilt University

In 1974, Skip Bayless graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University, where he majored in English and history. He was also involved in the university's student newspaper.

August 1976: Joins Los Angeles Times

In August 1976, Skip Bayless took a position at the Los Angeles Times, where he wrote investigative stories, including those about the Los Angeles Dodgers and Rams.

1977: Wins Eclipse Award

In 1977, Skip 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, Skip Bayless was voted Texas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

1984: Texas Sportswriter of the Year Award

In 1984, Skip Bayless received the Texas Sportswriter of the Year award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

1986: Texas Sportswriter of the Year Award

In 1986, Skip Bayless was named Texas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association for the third time.

1989: Joins The Sports Reporters on ESPN

In 1989, Skip Bayless joined 'The Sports Reporters' on ESPN as a panelist with host Dick Schaap.

1989: Publishes God's Coach

In 1989, Skip Bayless wrote his first book, 'God's Coach: The Hymns, Hype and Hypocrisy of Tom Landry's Cowboys,' which focused on Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys.

God's Coach: The Hymns, Hype, and Hypocrisy of Tom Landry's Cowboys

Check it on Amazon

1991: Hosts Radio Show for KLIF

In 1991, Skip Bayless began hosting a sports talk radio show for Dallas radio station KLIF.

1992: Member of NFL Prime Monday's Knights of the Roundtable

In 1992, Skip 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, Skip Bayless wrote 'The Boys: The Untold Story of the Dallas Cowboys' Season on the Edge'.

1994: Investor in KTCK and Host of The Skip Bayless Show

In 1994, Skip 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, after Cumulus Media bought KTCK, Skip Bayless's contract was bought out.

1998: Joins Chicago Tribune

In 1998, Skip Bayless left Dallas and became the lead sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

1999: Commentator for Golf Channel

In 1999, Skip Bayless provided commentary for the Golf Channel from the major golf championships.

2000: Commentator for Golf Channel

In 2000, Skip Bayless provided commentary for the Golf Channel from the major golf championships.

2000: Illinois Sportswriter of the Year

In 2000, Skip Bayless was voted Illinois Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

July 2001: Leaves Chicago Tribune

In July 2001, Skip Bayless left the Chicago Tribune after being the lead sports columnist.

2001: Appears on Jim Rome's Show and The Best Damn Sports Show Period

In 2001, Skip Bayless appeared regularly on Jim Rome's show on Fox Sports Net, 'The Last Word', and made frequent appearances on Fox's 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period'.

2001: Guest Host on The Jim Rome Show

In 2001, Skip Bayless became the primary guest host of the syndicated radio program 'The Jim Rome Show'.

2002: Appears on Jim Rome's Show and The Best Damn Sports Show Period

In 2002, Skip Bayless appeared regularly on Jim Rome's show on Fox Sports Net, 'The Last Word', and made frequent appearances on Fox's 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period'.

2003: Becomes a fixture on Rome is Burning

In 2003, when Jim Rome moved to ESPN, Skip Bayless became a fixture on 'Rome is Burning'. He was also featured in a weekly SportsCenter debate segment with Stephen A. Smith, 'Old School/Nu Skool'.

2004: Hired Full-Time by ESPN

In 2004, ESPN hired Skip Bayless full-time to team up with Woody Paige on 'Cold Pizza' for daily debate segments and to write columns for ESPN.com.

2004: Moves to Television Full-Time

In 2004, Skip Bayless moved full-time into television after co-hosting a weekend show on ESPN Radio with Larry Beil.

2006: Cameo in Rocky Balboa

In 2006, Skip Bayless had a cameo role in the film 'Rocky Balboa' along with Woody Paige and Jay Crawford, where they discussed a potential fight between Rocky and Mason Dixon on their 'First and 10' segment.

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May 2007: Cold Pizza Rebranded as First Take

In May 2007, the show 'Cold Pizza' was rebranded as 'First Take' and moved to ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. Around this time, Bayless stopped writing for ESPN.com.

2008: Inducted into Oklahoma City Wall of Fame

In 2008, Skip 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, Skip Bayless was inducted into the inaugural class of the Vanderbilt Student Media Hall of Fame.

2010: Appearance in Pony Excess

In 2010, Skip Bayless appeared in the ESPN 30 for 30 film, 'Pony Excess', which covered the Southern Methodist University football scandal.

2011: Appearance in Herschel Documentary

In 2011, Skip 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, Skip Bayless resumed writing columns for ESPN.com after a period of not contributing to the website.

2012: Sports Emmy Nomination and Webby Award

In 2012, Skip Bayless was nominated for a Sports Emmy Award and received a Webby People's Voice Award for 'All He Does Is Win', a remix of clips of him defending Tim Tebow.

April 26, 2016: Parting ways with ESPN Reported

On April 26, 2016, it was reported that Skip Bayless would be leaving ESPN and moving to Fox Sports after his contract expired in August.

June 2016: Departure from First Take

In June 2016, Skip Bayless left ESPN2's 'First Take' after working as a commentator on the show with Stephen A. Smith.

June 21, 2016: Final Appearance on First Take

On June 21, 2016, Skip Bayless made his final appearance on 'First Take' before moving to Fox Sports.

September 2016: Skip and Shannon: Undisputed Debut

In September 2016, 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed' debuted on Fox Sports 1 with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe as hosts.

September 2016: Debut of Skip and Shannon: Undisputed

In September 2016, Skip Bayless debuted his show 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed' with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1.

September 10, 2020: Controversial Remarks About Dak Prescott

On September 10, 2020, Skip Bayless was criticized for remarks he made about Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, stating that Prescott's statements about suffering from depression were a sign of 'weakness'.

March 2021: Signs Contract with Fox Sports

In March 2021, Skip Bayless signed a four-year, $32 million contract with Fox Sports.

January 2, 2023: Controversial Tweet About Damar Hamlin

On January 2, 2023, amid Damar Hamlin's hospitalization, Skip Bayless posted a tweet that was widely criticized as insensitive, questioning the potential postponement of the NFL game and was later apologized for.

August 2023: Undisputed Relaunch

In August 2023, Skip Bayless relaunched Undisputed with Richard Sherman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Michael Irvin.

August 2, 2024: Leaves Undisputed and Fox Sports 1

On August 2, 2024, Skip Bayless left Undisputed and Fox Sports 1 after 8 years on the network.

August 2024: Departure from Undisputed

In August 2024, Skip Bayless left Fox Sports 1, ending his eight-year run on 'Skip and Shannon: Undisputed'.

January 5, 2025: Named as Defendant in Lawsuit

On January 5, 2025, Skip Bayless was listed as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji against the network, alleging he offered her $1.5 million for sex.