ESPN is having trouble keeping its personalities lately. The network announced on Tuesday that Skip Bayless is leaving when his contract expires in August.
According to Deadspin, Bayless will be joining Fox Sports after he leaves ESPN. Bayless would be reunited with Jamie Horowitz at Fox Sports. Horowitz, who is the president of Fox Sports, worked with Bayless on First Take while she was at ESPN. The network had planned on offering Bayless $4 million in annual salary when his contract was up, Sports Illustrated noted.
Fox Sports declined to comment on the move.
“Skip Bayless has decided to leave ESPN when his contract expires at the end of August,” ESPN said in a statement, “We want to thank Skip for his many contributions to ESPN. His hard work and talent have benefited ESPN for 12 years.”
Bayless has worked at the sports giant since 2004. He has been the co-host of First Take since it began in 2007. Bayless’ final appearance on the show will be in June after the NBA Finals.
Watch the video of ESPN First Take's comment on the move:
In the last year numerous personalities including Keith Olbermann, Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd, Curt Schilling and Mike Tirico have either left, announced they were leaving or have been fired by ESPN.