Fox Sports 1 has erected three billboards within five miles of ESPN’s Bristol, Connecticut, campus, advertising Skip Bayless’ new series “Undisputed,” TheWrap has confirmed. At least one such structure depicts a bird leaving its cage.
Bayless, who co-hosted ESPN’s morning debate series “First Take” for a dozen years, is now with main competitor Fox Sports 1, where he’ll debut next week. The shows are nearly identical in premise.
The billboard locations are no coincidence. It is well known that the sleepy town of Bristol pretty much only exists because of the so-called Worldwide Leader in Sports. In other words, this was some VERY targeted marketing on Fox’s part.
TheWrap recently interviewed Bayless, who revealed to us that the Disney-owned cable channel nearly canceled his “First Take” over a 2013 incident involving Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.
“I loved my 12 years at ESPN,” Bayless told us. “And I loved working with Stephen A. [Smith] — and trust me, it’s hard to even talk about it, because I miss him.”
“But the truth was, I never quite fit on a Disney-owned network. And it’s not that I was ever a shock jock — I just like to go a little deeper in my arguments than [ESPN] was comfortable with,” he continued. “I like to take on athletes who have issues with me.”
“Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” premieres Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Meet Max Kellerman: 9 Things to Know About Skip Bayless' Replacement (Photos)
On Monday, Max Kellerman was officially named Skip Bayless' permanent replacement on ESPN morning debate series "First Take."
The departing "SportsNation" host should not be an unknown quantity to any sports fan -- particularly those that love the sweet science. Others still may have taken in the Bronx native elsewhere, whether in the "Rocky" films, "Sharknado" franchise, or even across cable news.
Kellerman's impressive career started earlier than most: In his teens, the fighting enthusiast got noticed for hosting New York City public access show "Max on Boxing."
The kid was cultured too; a young Max wrote a play called "The Man Who Hated Shakespeare." What were you doing in your teens?
Max's beloved brother Sam Kellerman (pictured, left) was murdered in a most horrifying manner.
A former boxer taken in by Sam slew the promising writer via repeated head blows with a hammer, and then set his apartment on fire. The bipolar James Butler (right) received 29 years for the heinous crime.
After jumping ship from ESPN, Kellerman joined Fox Sports Network, hosting a terrific series called "I, Max." But the show was canceled just a year or so later. Perhaps no one could find Fox Sports Network.
Kellerman soon returned to his boxing roots, primarily with HBO. All the while, the talented blabbermouth has held numerous radio gigs.
Kellerman has gone political: In 2005, he twice guested on Tucker Carlson's short-lived, self-titled MSNBC talk show. May not sound like a lot, but it was like 29 percent of "Tucker's" total airings.
To boxing enthusiasts, Kellerman has been a household name for decades. To others, the Bronx native with the gift of gab may be more of an unknown — until now
On Monday, Max Kellerman was officially named Skip Bayless' permanent replacement on ESPN morning debate series "First Take."
The departing "SportsNation" host should not be an unknown quantity to any sports fan -- particularly those that love the sweet science. Others still may have taken in the Bronx native elsewhere, whether in the "Rocky" films, "Sharknado" franchise, or even across cable news.
