ESPN's Dan Le Batard has not been shy criticizing personalities for leaving the net, and he continued that stream of thought on Tuesday regarding Skip Bayless' new FS1 show. Le Batard noted rapper Lil Wayne was scheduled to appear on "'First Fake,’ this show with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe." He said, "I can’t believe they’re just doing the same thing. I can’t believe that Fox is just doing ‘First Fake,’ that it’s just the same show with Shannon Sharpe as the other black guy. That’s what they’re doing” ("The Dan Le Batard Show," ESPN Radio, 9/13). AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Sean Keeley noted Le Batard has "long been opposed to the notion that ESPN talent can go elsewhere for more money and find the same level of success." While Bayless' "Undisputed" is delivering a 400% ratings jump "from the same FS1 timeslot last year," it is still far below what ESPN2's "First Take" earns. It will take a long time before observers know if Bayless and Colin Cowherd "made the right call or whether or not they traded relevance for paychecks" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 9/15).
