SPORTS TV personality Skip Bayless is paving the way for his new show on YouTube by asking fans for topics to debate.
Bayless was the face of Fox Sports’ Undisputed for eight years but the network pulled the plug last month.
A replacement flagship show called The Facility premiered on FS1 this week.
And Bayless, 72, has moved on to his own new offering, which will be hosted by YouTube.
He drummed up some hype on social media ahead of the first episode next week.
“Please fire away with your questions for me to [email protected],” he posted on X. “Ask me anything for this week’s grand re-opening show, a Kickoff Special. Take issue. Take stands. I will respond on air.”
Sports fans were dismissive when they suggested potential topics below the post.
Many referenced Bayless’ on-air fallout with former co-host Shannon Sharpe which many believe marked the start of Undisputed’s fall from grace.
“Would you do anything differently when it comes to Shannon Sharpe and Undisputed?” asked one.
“Didn’t you get retired,” another ventured.
“You wanna be stephen a smith so bad,” a third posted referencing ESPN’s polarizing First Take host.
There were plenty of people defending Bayless in the comments.
“How do you stay so humble having so many haters? By the way when it comes to this sports talk debating ish, to me you the goat,” posted one.
Fox revamped its weekday lineup after Bayless’ departure in August.
Emmanuel Acho, 33, welcomed the viewers as The Facility aired for the first time at 10 am Eastern on Tuesday.
The FS1 star fronted the show alongside cast members Chase Daniels, James Jones, and former Speak! co-host LeShaun McCoy.
The Tom Brady domino effect
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Tom Brady will take his seat in Fox’s top NFL announce team alongside Kevin Burkhardt.
And his arrival at the network has set off a domino effect with every other announcer moving down one spot.
That means Fox’s NFL coverage in 2024 will feature entirely new broadcast pairings.
Greg Olsen, who previously worked alongside Burkhardt, will now be part of the No. 2 announce team with Joe Davis.
The other Fox pairings for 2024 are:
- Adam Amin-Mark Sanchez
- Kenny Albert-Jon Vilma
- Kevin Kugler-Daryl Johnston
- Chris Myers-Mark Schlereth
Acho started off by sending thoughts and prayers to San Francisco 49ers rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in an attempted robbery last weekend.
He then said The Facility would be about having “less debate” and “more discussion” as he shared the cast’s mission statement.
“It takes a mouth to debate, but it takes a mind to dialogue,” the sportscaster said.
“It takes a mind to dissect.”
The premiere episode’s agenda featured discussions about Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams’ new deal, and concerns for New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
NFL important dates
August 1 – Hall of Fame Game – Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 – Pre-season begins
August 27 – Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 – Final day of pre-season
September 5 – Season opener – Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 – Trade deadline
January 5 – Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 – Playoffs begin
February 9 – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana