A Major Ratings Boost
The highly anticipated reunion between Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless on ESPN’s First Take proved to be a major draw for audiences. According to Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel metrics, Bayless’ return to the show alongside Smith—their first joint appearance in ten years—attracted an average of 647,000 viewers.
This performance represents a substantial improvement for the program. The figures show a 24% increase compared to the show's daily average viewership from January through May 2026, which stood at 520,800. Furthermore, the episode saw a 44% jump in viewership compared to the equivalent broadcast from the previous year.
Social Media Impact
Promoted with intense hype, the face-off between the two pioneers of the "embrace debate" format translated into massive digital engagement. The Friday episode, which also featured moderator Shae Cornette, achieved impressive metrics across ESPN’s social media channels:
- 33.5 million total social impressions
- 22 million views
- 1.1 million total engagements
The Future of the Duo
While ESPN has yet to confirm whether Bayless will become a regular fixture on the show, the strong ratings and unexpected warmth from the audience suggest that another collaboration is highly probable. As Stephen A. Smith might say, failing to bring them together again would be “blasphemy.”
Bayless, who appeared invigorated by the chance to return to the ESPN spotlight, has made his desire for future appearances clear. Following the broadcast, he took to social media to express his enthusiasm, stating:
«Friday wasn’t a reunion. It was a rebirth. It was a relaunch. It was just a restart of the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in my lifetime.»