“Stephen A. Is Skip’s Daddy Now”: Days After Promising Rumors, Alarming Report Haunts Skip Bayless’ Future Fox Project

After 4 Time All-Pro, Shannon Sharpe left the show in June, Fox Sports’ 1-morning show ‘Undisputed’ has been on hiatus for the past two months. Show’s long-time host and analyst Skip Bayless is having a hard time finding a replacement for Sharpe and is planning to take the show in a completely new direction.

Bayless is planning to follow in the footsteps of ESPN’s First Take, which is successfully running on a ‘debate by committee’ approach. But this new idea is not sitting too well with Fox Sports and the fans.

Undisputed’s new format might make a bad show worse

After debating hot topics with a single co-host since the inception of the show, Skip is all set to try a new approach and bring in rotating guests to the show. Fox Sports is constantly auditioning to find a replacement for the former NFL tight end but is reluctant to offer a long-time multi-million dollar contract to one co-host. Skip is bringing in Former ESPN host Rachel Nichols, rapper Lil Wayne, and former NFL player Keyshawn Johnson to be a part of the show’s rotating lineup.

But this change in format is not pleasing the fans and Fox Sports as they are calling it a rip-off of ESPN’s First Take. Stephen A. Smith’s show is currently the No. 1 ‘embrace debate’ morning show and triples ‘Undisputed’ in ratings. An anonymous source went as far as to say, “Stephen A. is Skip’s daddy now.” Referring to the fact that Stephen A. has been dominating the format in which Skip is considered a Godfather.

Bayless cannot find a replacement for Shannon Sharpe

Fox announced last week that they will bring in NFL cornerback Richard Sherman to join Skip on the panel for 50-100 shows per year. This brought excitement to the fans as Sherman and Skip have a history of heated debates. Before 2016, when Skip was part of ESPN and Sherman was beginning his NFL career, they had a heated argument, which almost took an ugly turn with both people taking jabs at each other’s career and personal life.

Read More: Showing Off His ‘Sharpe’ Wit, Shannon Sharpe Drops Tantalizing Hint About His Next Broadcasting Gig Post-Skip Bayless Split

Although the fans will not be graced with Sherman’s presence throughout the year, they will be excited to see how he handles Skip’s dominant nature and absurd takes. Skip can be a tough personality to work with. Sharpe was rumored to have parted ways with Fox Sports because of his relationship with Skip, as he was constantly interrupted by Skip during the show. Skip also disrespected the NFL legend by negatively commenting on his Hall of Fame career in some segments of the show, which might have worsened their relationship.

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With so many uncertainties, Undisputed is all set to return on August 28. Do you think this new format will work in favor of the 71-year-old Undisputed host?