Despite Being Close to Michael Jordan, Skip Bayless Names $20M Worth Star His Favorite Interview

“I will not quit this game because of what the media has done to me.” Michael Jordan’s notorious disdain for media personnel became legendary throughout his career, from freezing out reporter Sam Smith after ‘The Jordan Rules’ to calling out Ahmad Rashad for perceived betrayal. Yet, amid this contentious relationship with the press, controversial sports personality Skip Bayless managed to forge an unexpected bond with His Airness. However, recently, the famous sports commentator has surprised everyone with his new favorite.

During a recent episode of the All the Smoke podcast, Stephen Jackson asked Bayless which team was his most favorite to cover. The 72-year-old didn’t spare any money in answering that and also shared an anecdote about his relationship with the Chicago Bulls legend.

“98′ Bulls. I mean last dance. I’m dancing man, I’m there. Michael liked me and he didn’t like many in the media but I don’t know why. I think he liked me because I was my own guy and I didn’t care anybody’s thought and he got a kick out of me and he opened to me and would call me, if I left him a message, he would call me back,” said Bayless during the podcast.

The 1997-98 season was a masterpiece for Michael Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to their sixth championship. Dubbed “The Last Dance,” this campaign showcased Jordan’s ability to dominate the court despite the looming dissolution of the Bulls dynasty. He averaged 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game that season, earning his fifth NBA MVP award and securing his place as Finals MVP for the sixth time besides winning the championship.

Despite this connection, when asked about his favorite interview, Bayless turned the spotlight away from basketball and onto baseball. According to him, his favorite sit-down was with $20 million MLB veteran Reggie Jackson. “You know I’ve been thinking about this because the World Series just ended, Reggie Jackson,” said Bayless. The commentator even went on to share an incident that he considered his best interview.

“I’m 24ish and I caught him, he was entering on a Sunday morning before an afternoon game in Fort Lauderdale… anyway caught him, introduced myself and he couldn’t have been nicer to me and I don’t know why cause he was big because baseball was bigger than it is no, so he was NFL, NBA stature, he was a liftoff. You know he was the biggest name in sports he was always into Billy Martin and he said let’s do this and he sat down in his locker and I just caught him and I caught him in a good mood and he just gushed to me and that man is brilliant about sports, life, what’s happening and I was mesmerized,” said Bayless during the podcast.

Jackson was a great baseball player who was also known as ‘Mr. October.’ A 5x World Series champion, Jackson has 21 seasons of MLB experience during which he hammered 563 home runs. Jackson’s most famous moment came in the 1977 World Series, when he hit three home runs in one game for the New York Yankees, a moment that essentially cemented his place in baseball history.

In addition to his on-field activities, Jackson appeared in a couple of movies, including ‘Richie Rich’ and ‘Summer of Sam‘ and worked as a commentator for ABC Sports, which added to his $20 million worth.

While Michael Jordan redefined basketball, Reggie Jackson left an indelible mark on baseball. Bayless’s choice reflects the unique challenges and joys of covering legends from different sports. However, even though the ESPN veteran had shared about his relationship with Jordan, there was another that he shared that didn’t fall under the positive category.

Skip Bayless’s revelation about Michael Jordan’s attitude

Skip Bayless, a veteran sports journalist, shocked fans with a rare moment of vulnerability during a recent podcast appearance. Known for his staunch support of Michael Jordan as the undisputed GOAT, Bayless opened up about a darker side of Jordan’s personality that once left him shaken.

Recalling his time with Jordan during the same podcast, Bayless admitted that the basketball legend’s intensity often bordered on hostility. “I was around Jordan a lot. Not a nice guy all the time. He was a bad MF, man… When it was time to be a bad MF, he scared the hell out of the rest of the league,” said Bayless during the podcast.

In a surprising twist, Bayless contrasted this with his feelings about LeBron James. Despite often criticizing LeBron’s game, Bayless admitted, “Do I hate LeBron?” Guess what? I’m actually happy I don’t because I’m afraid if I were around him very much, I think, he’s a really good guy, a really nice guy.”

While Bayless remains steadfast in his belief that Jordan’s six championships define greatness, his acknowledgment of LeBron’s importance offers a rare glimpse of admiration for the modern-day star. In the end, it can be said that even in criticism, the legacies of Jordan and LeBron continue to spark debate—and sometimes surprising admissions.