History of Skip Bayless in Timeline

Skip Bayless is an American sports columnist, commentator, and television personality. He gained prominence as a commentator on ESPN2's *First Take* with Stephen A. Smith. In September 2016, he launched *Skip and Shannon: Undisputed* with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1. Bayless was the lead personality of the show until his departure in August 2024.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 4, 1951: Skip Bayless Born

On December 4, 1951, John Edward Bayless II, known professionally 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.

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 president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

1974: Graduation from Vanderbilt University

In 1974, Skip Bayless graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University with degrees in English and history. During his time there, 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, Skip Bayless joined the Los Angeles Times.

1977: Eclipse Award for Seattle Slew Coverage

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 (Second)

In 1984, Skip Bayless was voted Texas Sportswriter of the Year for the second time by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

1986: Texas Sportswriter of the Year (Third)

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

1989: Joins The Sports Reporters

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

1989: Publication of God's Coach

In 1989, Skip Bayless wrote his first book, "God's Coach: The Hymns, Hype and Hypocrisy of Tom Landry's Cowboys," focusing on the rise and fall of Tom Landry's Dallas Cowboys.

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

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1991: Hosts Sports Talk Radio Show on KLIF

In 1991, Skip Bayless began hosting a sports talk radio show from 6-8 p.m. Monday through Friday for Dallas radio station KLIF.

1992: Member of 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: Publication of 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 from 6-9 a.m. weekdays.

1996: Contract Buyout from Cumulus Media

In 1996, after the original owners sold KTCK to Cumulus Media, Skip Bayless's contract was bought out.

1998: Joins Chicago Tribune

In 1998, Skip Bayless left Dallas after 17 years and became the lead sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

1999: Commentary for Golf Channel

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

2000: Commentary 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.

2001: Appears on Jim Rome's Show

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

2002: Frequent Appearances on The Best Damn Sports Show Period

In 2002, Skip Bayless made frequent appearances on Fox's The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

2003: Fixture on Rome is Burning

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

2004: Hired Full-Time by ESPN

In 2004, ESPN hired Skip 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.

2004: Full-time Move to Television

In 2004, Skip Bayless moved full-time into television, ending his weekend show on ESPN Radio with Larry Beil.

2006: Cameo in Rocky Balboa

In 2006, Skip Bayless, along with Woody Paige and Jay Crawford, had a cameo role in the film Rocky Balboa, discussing a possible 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, Cold Pizza, which had been produced in New York, was rebranded as First Take and moved to ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. Around this time, Skip Bayless stopped writing for ESPN.com.

2008: Oklahoma City Wall of Fame Selection

In 2008, Skip Bayless was selected to the Oklahoma City Wall of Fame, recognizing outstanding alumni of Oklahoma City Public Schools.

2009: Induction into Vanderbilt Student Media Hall of Fame

In 2009, Skip 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, Skip Bayless appeared in the ESPN 30 for 30 film, Pony Excess, about 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.

2012: Sports Emmy Nomination and Webby Award

In 2012, Skip 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", a mashup of clips of Bayless passionately defending Tim Tebow.

April 26, 2016: Parting Ways with ESPN

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

June 2016: Departure from First Take

In June 2016, Skip Bayless left the ESPN2 show First Take, where he had worked as a commentator 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.

September 2016: Debut of Undisputed on Fox Sports 1

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

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: Criticism for Remarks on Dak Prescott

On September 10, 2020, Skip 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, Skip Bayless signed a four-year, $32 million contract with Fox Sports.

January 2, 2023: Controversial Tweet on Damar Hamlin's Injury

On January 2, 2023, Skip Bayless posted a tweet regarding Damar Hamlin's hospitalization that was widely seen as insensitive, questioning the potential postponement of the Bills-Bengals game and its implications for the NFL season. He later issued an apology tweet.

August 2023: Re-launched Undisputed

In August 2023, Skip Bayless re-launched 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 his show Skip and Shannon: Undisputed on Fox Sports 1, after leading the show for eight years.

January 5, 2025: Lawsuit Allegations

On January 5, 2025, Skip 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.