In a move that's sending shockwaves through the sports media world, the legendary duo of Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith is set to reunite on ESPN's "First Take" — but only for a single, must-watch episode this Friday. The network is calling it a "one-time reunion" between the two icons who haven't shared the desk together in nearly a decade.

For fans of heated sports debates, this is a trip down memory lane. Bayless was a cornerstone of "First Take" from its launch in 2007 until his departure in 2016, while Smith has remained the show's anchor, now co-hosting alongside Shae Cornette. The reunion was reportedly Smith's idea, according to a source close to the situation.

Since leaving ESPN, Bayless took his talents to Fox Sports, where he co-hosted "Undisputed" — most famously alongside Shannon Sharpe — from 2016 to 2024. These days, he's been keeping busy with his own podcast, "The Skip Bayless Show," and making regular appearances on the digital sports show "The Arena: Gridiron," hosted by Gilbert Arenas.

This reunion comes as a surprise, given Smith's previous comments on the matter. Just last year, he addressed rumors of a potential Bayless return on his podcast, stating firmly: "Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, together as partners, working across from each other on a debate show, is over. It's been over. There's no negativity or shade being thrown on Skip Bayless. I have moved on."

For those who miss the electric chemistry and no-holds-barred debates between these two titans of sports commentary, Friday's episode is shaping up to be an unmissable event. Whether this truly is a one-time reunion or a tease of more to come, one thing is certain: the sports debate world will be watching.