Recent tensions between notable sports commentators Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith have led to a significant fallout in their friendship. The conflict ignited when Smith publicly criticized Bayless’s remarks regarding Shannon Sharpe’s NFL career. In a recent appearance on a podcast, Smith disclosed that it has been over a year and a half since their last conversation, highlighting the depth of their estrangement. Here’s an overview of their ongoing disputes.
Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith Feud Explained
The conflict reportedly began during a 2022 episode of “Undisputed,” when Bayless and Sharpe engaged in a contentious debate about Tom Brady. Bayless publicly criticized Sharpe’s NFL career, asserting, “[Brady]’s still playing at a high level at 45 when you had to stop at 35, that’s the point.” This disagreement ultimately led to Sharpe’s departure from the FS1 show.
Smith was particularly upset by Bayless’s disrespectful commentary regarding Sharpe. He recounted reaching out to Bayless to express his disapproval, but received no response, leading him to cease further attempts at communication.
Further straining their friendship, Bayless became frustrated with Smith over comments he allegedly made to JJ Redick. He publicly berated Smith for 45 minutes on his podcast, prompting Smith to travel to California to address the issue directly. Although they managed to resolve their differences during their meeting, their relationship has not returned to its former state.
Despite the complications in their friendship, Smith maintains that he holds no ill will towards Bayless. In the same podcast, he stated, “It doesn’t mean I don’t love him; it doesn’t mean that I wish anything negative upon him because I don’t. But he’s just going in a different direction. That’s what he chose to do, and that’s cool.”
