It's been nearly a decade since Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless last shared a desk on ESPN's First Take, but the fireworks are already flying before they even sit down together. With their reunion set for Friday morning, Smith isn't holding back—he's putting his old sparring partner on notice.
“I hope he's ready,” Smith said Tuesday, a smirk practically audible in his voice. “Because I'm not going to take any pity on him. Be ready, my brother. Friday, it's going to be epic, no doubt.”
The two titans of sports debate haven't squared off on First Take since 2016, when Bayless left the network to launch Undisputed on FS1. That era of First Take became legendary—some say it changed sports television forever, for better or worse. Now, for one special episode, they're bringing the magic back.
Smith acknowledged that Bayless has plenty he wants to get off his chest after all these years. “He's got stuff that he wants to get off his chest, so I'm going to let him do that. But in the same breath, what he really, really wants to get off his chest is me,” Smith said. “He wanna get at me and obviously I'm looking forward to the two hours that we're going to have together Friday.”
Bayless, never one to shy away from hype, took to X to crank up the anticipation. “COUNTING DOWN TOWARD 10 A.M. EASTERN THIS FRIDAY ON ESPN. IT WILL BE EPIC. IT WILL BE LEGENDARY. IT WILL BE GREAT FUN. CAN'T WAIT,” he wrote in all caps, matching the intensity that made their original run must-see TV.
A Rivalry Rekindled
This reunion isn't just a nostalgic trip—it's a clash of two of the most polarizing figures in sports media. Smith has become the face of ESPN's debate format, while Bayless carved his own path at FS1. Now they're back under one roof, and the stakes feel as high as ever. The sports world is already buzzing, with Sports Media Roasts Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless' 'Hot Take' Reunion on First Take, but the duo seems unfazed.
Bayless promised the show would be “epic” and “legendary,” and Smith didn't disagree. “Friday should definitely be an entertaining watch,” Smith added. “We'll see if the two can recapture the magic that made their initial run so special for the better part of four years.”
What to Expect
Fans can expect the same fiery debates that defined their partnership—arguments over LeBron vs. Jordan, NFL quarterbacks, and everything in between. But there's also a personal edge this time. Nine years apart have given both men plenty of ammunition, and neither is backing down. Smith's warning suggests he's ready to go toe-to-toe, while Bayless's excitement hints at a man eager to prove he hasn't lost a step.
For ESPN, this is a ratings goldmine. The network is banking on nostalgia and raw chemistry to draw viewers back to a show that helped define the 2010s sports landscape. Whether it lives up to the hype or becomes a empty seats and bad vibes situation remains to be seen, but early signs point to a high-energy showdown.
One thing is certain: come Friday morning, all eyes will be on First Take. Smith and Bayless are about to reignite one of sports television's greatest rivalries, and they're both promising a show that fans won't forget.
