Bayless foxtrots out of ESPN

Skip Bayless will become the latest high-profile personality to exit ESPN’s campus. Following the news earlier this week that Mike Tirico will depart for NBC Sports, ESPN confirmed yesterday that Bayless, who has served as a controversial staple of First Take for the company, will depart this summer with his final edition of the show coming the day after the NBA Finals wrap up in June. Multiple executives expect Bayless to land at FOX Sports, which has been shifting away from news and highlights toward a personality and context-driven programming strategy on FS1.

“We want to thank Skip for his many contributions to ESPN. His hard work and talent have benefited ESPN for 12 years,” the company said in a statement to media.

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