Skip Bayless has been off the air since Aug. 2, 2024, when he left FS1’s ‘Undisputed’ after a hectic summer that saw co-host Shannon Sharpe leave the show as well.
It seems that the airwaves are not done with Bayless, though. After more than a year of silence, the 73-year-old broadcaster is making his return on a new football show, produced by Underdog, the same group that produces former NBA star Gilbert Arenas’ popular program, ‘Gil’s Arena.’
Bayless broke the news via an interview with The Athletic, where he talked up his excitement for the show. ‘I’m not exaggerating to you,’ Bayless said. ‘I’m telling you, the God’s truth, I’m more on fire for this than I have ever been.’
What will Skip Bayless’ new show be called?
Bayless’ new show will be titled, ‘The Arena: Gridiron.’ He will host the show alongside former NFL coach Jay Gruden, former All-Pro cornerback and Super Bowl champion Aqib Talib, and Arenas himself. Reports say former quarterback Cody Kessler and six-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy will be recurring guests on the show.
Why will Gilbert Arenas talk NFL?
The three-time NBA All-Star has made a name for himself in retirement as an NBA analyst. So, obviously, fans wondered why he’s part of a new football-based show.
According to Bayless, Arenas is looking to broaden his horizons as an analyst. Bayless says that ‘(Arenas and I) met, got to know each other, and he wants, so to speak, to take his talents into the NFL space, which he should because he’s got rare charisma and showmanship and a rare sports brain. He’s deeply smart about sports.’
Bayless even went as far as to compare Arenas’ talent for sports media content to the likes of Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe, both of whom Bayless worked alongside.
Bayless said, ‘I’ve spent the last year looking for a new partner who would excite me or inspire me or be able to challenge me, and I found that partner in Gilbert Arenas.’
Skip Bayless FS1 lawsuit; Gilbert Arenas scandal
Before leaving FS1, Bayless was named in a lawsuit by a stylist who made allegations against Bayless, other on-air personalities, and some studio executives. The stylist has since asked a Los Angeles court to dismiss the case.
Arenas found himself in hot water as well, recently. On July 30, Arenas was arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business and one count of making false statements to federal investigators.
When asked if he had any concerns about the recent charges against Arenas, Bayless said he had none. ‘He believes he did nothing at all wrong,’ Bayless said. ‘And I believe in him.’
Future of Gilbert Arenas’ YouTube channel
Arenas’ YouTube channel will undergo a small rebrand as it expands into NFL media. The channel name will shift from ‘Gil’s Arena’ to ‘The Arena: Presented by Underdog.’
