Stephen A. Smith rebuts report on First Take ratings and Bayless return

7 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 6

On his Tuesday radio show, Smith said ESPN's debate programme remains "number one" and said Skip Bayless is returning later this week because he wanted a one-day reunion.
The disputed article said First Take was up 5%, lagging ESPN studio peers including Get Up at 18% and The Pat McAfee Show at 16%, despite Smith's reported five-year, $100m contract.
It will be Bayless and Smith's first television appearance together in nearly 10 years, after Bayless left ESPN for FS1 in 2016 and Smith had previously said their on-air partnership was over.

Is the Bayless reunion a genuine tribute or an audition to fix 'First Take's' stagnant growth?

With rival shows surging, is Stephen A. Smith's $100 million contract now ESPN's biggest gamble?