Skip Bayless lays down plans about 'Undisputed's future after Broncos HoFer’s exit - “Going to miss my man Shannon Sharpe”

Sports media personality Skip Bayless returned the favor by expressing his gratitude to Shannon Sharpe.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end left the popular Fox Sports 1 show 'Unidsputed' after the NBA Finals ended.

In a recent episode of his eponymous podcast, Bayless said:

“I’m going to miss my man Shannon Sharpe and all he did for me, all he brought to Undisputed, but I can’t wait for what's next for Undisputed. See you soon.”

Sharpe did the show with Bayless for nearly seven years. The three-time Super Bowl champion agreed to a contract buyout, setting his tenure on the show until after the NBA Finals.

By 2023, the program was pulling in an average audience of 173,000, making it FS1’s most successful studio-based show. US TVDB also has it as the network’s ninth-most popular program behind its NASCAR, MLB, and National Hot Rods Association coverages.

The Savannah State alumnus showered appreciation for Skip Bayless during his final episode:

“And last but not least, Skip Bayless. You fought for me, bruh. I’m here because of you. You’ve allowed me to share the stage with you. You’ve allowed me to share the platform. The opportunity that you gave me to become what I became, I’m very indebted to you.“

“I’ll never forget what you did for me. You helped me grow more than you ever know. All I ask is, when you lay your head on that pillow at night, know I gave you everything I had. I gave everything I had.”

Meanwhile, Bayless’ statement confirmed that 'Undisputed' would continue, though Shannon Sharpe’s replacement remains unknown for now.

The Vanderbilt alumnus added, with a subtle shot fired at his favorite team’s bitter rival:

“I got news for you FS1 is here to stay. Undisputed is alive and very well going on seven years. As we look very forward to our eighth NFL season, are you ready for some football? I sure am; I can't wait for this fall when the Eagles are gonna fall.”

Skip Bayless shares more thoughts about his partnership with Shannon Sharpe

In the same episode, Bayless read two questions from the podcast’s listeners. The first question was about his proudest 'Undisputed' moment, while the second probed about his preparation for the show.

Skip Bayless answered:

"I can answer both of those questions by paying tribute to my man, Shannon Sharpe. What a run we had together, close to seven years' worth. That's roughly 4,300 live on-air hours."

"Sitting across each other, live on that debate desk, battling, laughing, haggling over bets on games, featuring, of course, the show's weird currency, cases of diet Mountain Dew, my favorite drink, and my only vice in the world."

Bayless added:

"Back and forth, we bet cases of Diet Dew. As you know by now, I live for Undisputed, which meant that, in a way, Shannon and I were kind of a married couple on TV. For years, it seemed like. For nights and days on end, we dominated each other's lives for almost seven years.”

Skip Bayless left ESPN in April 2016 to join Fox Sports. 'Undisputed' debuted five months later with Joy Taylor as the third host.

While there have been several controversial moments during their run, two instances might have convinced Sharpe to eventually leave the program.

First, Bayless said he was jealous of Tom Brady’s career because he was still playing at age 45, while taking shots at his co-host in the process. Second, Sharpe couldn’t take Bayless’ attitude regarding the Damar Hamlin incident.

But with those moments in the rear-view mirror, Skip Bayless ended his tribute for Shannon Sharpe by saying:

“I did not watch a single game in any sport for seven years without thinking about what Shannon was thinking about the outcome of said game and how that outcome would impact tomorrow's Undisputed."

"The end of Tuesday's show was my proudest moment ever on Undisputed. Because I was so proud of what Shannon and I had accomplished together against such long odds."