More than a decade after their final episode together on First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless found themselves back in the same arena-literally and figuratively. Their long-awaited reunion happened on The Arena Gridiron, and if anyone thought they’d ease in with a warm trip down memory lane, they were quickly reminded who they were dealing with.
The opening topic? The New York Knicks.
And in true Stephen A. and Skip fashion, it didn’t take long before the temperature in the room shot up. This wasn’t a stroll through the past-it was a return to form.
The two launched straight into a fiery debate, reigniting the chemistry that once made them the most talked-about duo in sports television.
Bayless, never one to hold back, wasted no time throwing verbal jabs. When the conversation turned to Jalen Brunson’s supporting cast, he took a shot at Karl-Anthony Towns with a line that was as sharp as it was controversial: “Jalen Brunson’s second-best player is KAT, who’s really more of a PUSSYKAT to me.” Vintage Skip-blunt, brash, and unapologetically provocative.
But the reunion wasn’t just about hot takes. The conversation took a more introspective turn as Bayless addressed the long-standing criticism that’s followed their debate-heavy style.
For years, critics have accused the duo of turning sports media into a shouting match, branding them with nicknames like “Screaming A. Smith” and “Skip Baseless.”
Bayless didn’t shy away from the narrative-but he didn’t accept it either.
“I still hear people say that you and I ruined sports media,” Bayless said. “We destroyed it with our style or whatever.
It’s ‘Screaming A. Smith’ and ‘Skip Baseless.’
That’s all we ever heard. If I may say so myself, I think we revolutionized it.”
From Bayless’ perspective, the numbers speak louder than the noise. The ratings, the cultural footprint, the countless shows that followed in their footsteps-none of that, he argued, was accidental. It was the result of a formula that struck a chord with fans, even if it ruffled feathers in traditional media circles.
Stephen A. Smith largely echoed that sentiment but added a layer of context.
For him, the backlash wasn’t just about style-it was about success. “It’s a lot of BS when it comes to that stuff because you got a lot of jealousy, envy,” Smith said.
“People look at what we’ve been able to achieve, and they’re like, ‘Why them? Why not us?’”
Smith also reflected on their shared roots in print journalism, a world that was rapidly shrinking when both men decided to pivot to television. It was a time of tough choices, and both made the leap-bringing with them the storytelling instincts of seasoned writers, but adapting them to the fast-paced, high-volume world of sports talk TV.
As Smith looked back with Bayless, there was also buzz about another potential reunion-this time with Shannon Sharpe. From late 2023 through early 2025, Sharpe became one of Smith’s most dynamic on-air partners on First Take.
Their chemistry was electric, blending Sharpe’s unfiltered candor with Smith’s signature fire. Together, they didn’t just talk sports-they tapped into culture, identity, and the pulse of the moment.
That run came to a halt in April 2025, when Sharpe stepped away from ESPN amid a civil lawsuit. He eventually parted ways with the network and shifted his focus to his booming podcast ventures-Club Shay Shay and The Nightcap, which he co-hosts with Chad Ochocinco.
But the door to ESPN may not be fully closed. During Super Bowl LX Radio Row appearances this week, Sharpe and Smith crossed paths again.
When asked about a potential return, Sharpe didn’t rule it out. He credited Smith for standing by him during a difficult chapter and made it clear that, if the opportunity presented itself, he’d be open to teaming up once more.
Since Sharpe’s departure, ESPN has rotated a number of voices alongside Smith-Ryan Clark, Dan Orlovsky, Cam Newton, and now Shae Cornette anchoring the desk. Each brings a unique flavor, but none quite replicate the spark that Sharpe and Smith shared.
Whether it’s Skip Bayless revisiting old battles or Shannon Sharpe potentially returning to the fold, one thing’s clear: Stephen A. Smith remains at the center of the sports debate universe. And with familiar faces circling back into the conversation, the next chapter might look a lot like the one that changed sports media in the first place.