"First Take" with Stephen A. Smith Dominates "Undisputed" with Skip Bayless in Ratings Battle
In the television ratings battle, Stephen A. Smith's "Undisputed" on ESPN is reportedly trouncing Skip Bayless' "First Take" on FS1.
Bayless, who left "Undisputed" in 2016, teamed up with Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe to co-host "First Take". The duo ran the show for seven years until Sharpe's departure from the network in June.
A report by Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports indicates that Smith's program is significantly outperforming "First Take" in the ratings, with the latter set to return to air on August 28 after a two-month break.
Though Bayless' impact on sports television is undeniable, and despite the fact that he played a pivotal role in Smith's career by inviting him to be his full-time partner on "First Take" 11 years ago, the tables have turned. Smith's "Embrace Debate" morning show consistently outranks his old partner's show, drawing nearly three times the TV audience. Moreover, as the face and voice of ESPN, Smith's nearly double Bayless' $8 million annual salary.
An insider even quipped to McCarthy that Smith "is Skip's Daddy now."
While many expected Bayless and FS1 officials to find a permanent replacement for Sharpe, they have instead decided on a rotating lineup for "Undisputed." The new lineup will feature appearances from Lil Wayne, former ESPN personality Rachel Nichols, and ex-NFL All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman.
Ultimately, it is not surprising that Smith's show is outperforming Bayless' in terms of viewership. ESPN is known as "The Worldwide Leader in Sports" for good reason, and Smith's penchant for hot takes has always attracted viewers.
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