Over the course of seven years, Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless transformed Undisputed into one of the loudest and chaotic television programs. But the cracks were always present behind the eye-rolls and viral disputes. When Bayless openly belittled Sharpe’s NFL career and sent an offensive tweet during a player injury in 2023, tensions reached a breaking point. By the end, Sharpe, who had previously been able to laugh off Bayless’ pranks, was hardly able to conceal his contempt. According to sources, Bayless always saw himself as “Batman” to Sharpe’s “Robin,” a relationship that bred bitter animosity.

After a while, Sharpe left Undisputed, leaving Fox and Bayless in a panic. The two haven’t missed many opportunities to make vague jabs at one another since. Which makes what happened next even more shocking.

Sharpe and Bayless found themselves on the same side in a rare instance of unintentional solidarity, supporting Shedeur Sanders against what they perceive to be a coordinated attack by NFL officials. The name that carried the Sanders heritage with NFL-ready composure, the arm behind every incredible comeback, and the face of Colorado’s rebirth. Sanders was left waiting. He had not been called by the end of Round 3. And the outrage was only getting started.

Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson found it difficult to put into words what they were seeing in real time on the Nightcap show. Shannon said, “In almost forty years, I’ve never seen anything like this.” Chad, shaking his head: “You’ll never be bigger than the program, no matter who you are. And they will show you. They will always remind you. That’s all we’re seeing right now.” So this wasn’t about Shedeur’s skill. Something bigger, something systemic, was at play here.

Chad read a message sent to him, and the words cut like a knife: “What we are witnessing once again is the machinery of a system that is never quite known what to do with a free Black man, much less a free Black family. The NFL finds itself uncomfortable, even threatened, when the likes of the Sanders family walk into a room not asking for a seat at the table, but daring to bring their own.”

And just when you thought everything would settle down, Skip Bayless added fuel to the fire. “I’m worn out because I’m so sickened and I’m so saddened over what this league just did to this kid. Shedeur Sanders should have gone first overall. This is not about football. It’s personal,” Skip said in a scathing, heartfelt video, releasing all the resentment he had been holding inside for three rounds of quiet.

“There are racist undertones here,” said Skip, pointing the finger where few would dare to. “Too many white people in charge who just roll their eyes at father and son.” He attacked the cowardice, hypocrisy, and “sheep think” that characterise so many front offices that are fearful of Deion’s enormous shadow: “They’re afraid Deion’s gonna take over the franchise. Take the coach’s job. Take the executive’s job. They don’t want the kid because they’re scared of the father.”

And now? The damage is done. Since they turned one of the best young players into a walking testament to the NFL’s long-standing fears. Every team is now afraid to sign him for fear of the publicity and the headlines they will generate. However, despite their past feuds. The two people who couldn’t ignore the injustice Shedeur Sanders was facing were Sharpe and Bayless.

The ‘Undisputed’ fallout: Shannon Sharpe vs. Skip Bayless

Bayless, the 72-year-old sports TV icon, was expelled from Fox Sports in 2024. In an interview with The Washington Post, Bayless claimed he was “dumbfounded” by the idea that Shannon Sharpe ever felt disrespected. As if the seven years of public tension and backstage chaos were just a misunderstanding.

But here’s the reality check: According to sources, Bayless long treated Sharpe like a second-class citizen behind the scenes, controlling creative choices, earning twice than Sharpe’s salary (about $8 million annually). And notoriously telling Sharpe to “put your glasses back on” while on-air like a reprimanding principal. That’s not disrespectful, is it, Skip?

Today, Undisputed is a ghost. On September 3, 2024, Fox replaced it with The Facility. Although YouTube audience numbers reveal a sharp decline from the show’s peak to a new normal, that is hardly half of what it was. The new crew, led by Emmanuel Acho, is still working to create something from the ashes.

Shannon Sharpe, meanwhile, is shining. On his Nightcap podcast, he is trolling Bayless by yelling, “It’s my turn!” After a heated argument with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, a reference to one of Bayless’ most well-known outbursts on Undisputed. He is dominating First Take and Club Shay Shay. But when it came to Shedeur Sanders and the NFL’s handling of him in spite of all that negativity? Despite all odds and years of personal hostility, Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless ended up sharing the same side of the line.