Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless reuniting for first time in nine years

In an unexpected development, it appears that the dynamic duo is reuniting, albeit temporarily.

Stephen A. Smith and former ESPN colleague Skip Bayless are set to come together for an episode of Bayless’s podcast, as reported by Front Office Sports.

The episode of “The Skip Bayless Show” featuring Smith has already been recorded and is scheduled to be released early next week.

Smith and Bayless were longtime colleagues at ESPN, notably as co-hosts on “First Take” from 2012 to 2016.

Bayless eventually departed from the show and the network in 2016, choosing to join FS1’s “Undisputed.”

Last year, Smith discussed his relationship with Bayless.

“When I say we don’t have a relationship, it’s not anything negative from my end,” Smith said on the “Talk With Flee” podcast in December 2024. “It’s me letting you know, ‘Yo, bro, I picked up the phone on several occasions.’ He never called me back.

“To me, if you’re that kind of person, that doesn’t make you bad, it just means that we can’t connect. Because I’m going to answer a call.”

“Our relationship goes back too long for me not to get a call from you when I called you. When you made that decision, cool. Live with your decision,” Smith added. “I will always love Skip, even when I adamantly and emphatically disagree with some of the things he says and does. But the part about not calling me back? Not answering my call? Nah, bro. Anybody that knows me, family included, anybody that knows me knows you don’t get too many shots with that with me. I don’t pick up the phone too often to call you. If you don’t answer my call, you don’t answer my call.”

Despite their split nine years ago, Smith has continued to be a prominent figure in sports media and recently signed a lucrative five-year, $100 million contract with ESPN.

Bayless parted ways with FS1 in August 2024.