Sports Media Criticizes Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless' Reunion

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and former Worldwide Leader in Sports star Skip Bayless will be reuniting on Friday.

Smith and Bayless, who teamed up for "First Take" for several years, will be reuniting on ESPN on Friday, for a special episode of the show. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports shared the news on Monday morning.

"The reunion of the two former TV partners is described as a 'one-time show.' It will be the first time Bayless and Smith have appeared together on ESPN's top-rated morning show since June 2016," McCarthy reported.

But not everyone is thrilled.

Some have claimed that Smith and Bayless are responsible for the worst parts of sports media today - hot takes, ridiculous debates, making up opinions for TV ratings, etc.

Smith and Bayless have defended their behaviors - and their opinions - but not everyone loves it.

Some in the sports media world have called out Smith and Bayless ahead of their reunion on Monday morning.

Sports media figures criticize ESPN reunion announcement

Many in sports media are not happy with it.

"No one needs this," Jeff Goodman shared.

"I don't watch the show anyway so I don't care, but two of the biggest buffoons on the planet together doesn't tempt me.." one fan added.

"I wonder whether the subject of LeBron James will come up. Two biggest LeBron haters reuniting. Hmm," another critic joked.

"Just don't watch it. Simple as that," one fan added.

"Ratings that bad now?" one fan wondered.

"I can't wait to not watch this," another critic wrote.

Others, meanwhile, remain excited for it.

"Children born after 2016 are about to get their first taste of the MJ-LeBron debate," one added.

"I'll be tuning in!" another shared.

Will you be watching the special one-off reunion show on Friday?

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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 8:35 AM.