Skip Bayless is making a highly anticipated return to ESPN's First Take this Friday, reuniting with his longtime debate partner Stephen A. Smith. The duo, often credited as the godfathers of sports debate television, helped shape a genre that has dominated sports media for years. But while Bayless is stepping back into familiar territory, fans wondering if Shannon Sharpe might follow suit will be disappointed.

Sharpe, who famously left Bayless's FS1 show Undisputed in 2023 to join First Take, will not be making a return anytime soon. A source close to the situation confirmed to Awful Announcing that Sharpe's comeback "is not under consideration" at this time. This comes despite Stephen A. Smith's earlier comments calling it "a work in progress" to get Sharpe back on the show.

Bayless's return marks a full-circle moment for the 74-year-old, who left ESPN in 2016 to launch Undisputed on FS1 alongside Sharpe. The show ran for eight years but struggled to compete with First Take in viewership, especially after Sharpe's departure. Bayless was ultimately let go from FS1 in 2024.

His return to ESPN isn't without controversy. In January 2025, Bayless was named in a civil lawsuit filed by a former FS1 hairstylist, alleging inappropriate behavior and racist remarks. The case was later settled, and no criminal charges were filed. Sharpe also faced similar allegations last year, leading to his removal from ESPN after a settlement.

For now, First Take fans will get a nostalgic dose of Bayless and Smith, but the door remains firmly closed for Sharpe—at least for the moment.