Skip Bayless Suggests He Was Handcuffed at ESPN, Is Not a 'Shock Jock'

Skip Bayless’ new Fox Sports 1 show debuts Sept. 6 and will air 10 a.m.-noon opposite First Take. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bayless, who spent 12 years at ESPN, got in a few shots at his former employer.

"“Too many people in charge at ESPN, for my taste, were a little too fearful. It’s a Disney network. There are just certain boundaries that you can’t even tiptoe along. Not that we won’t have boundaries at Fox, because we will. [But] they will trust me to go a little deeper. I can be completely honest on everything.”"

The 64-year-old did not elaborate on which topics were off-limits and didn’t divulge many specifics regarding the FS1 endeavor.

Many believe Bayless was Fox Sports National Networks president Jamie Horowitz’s white whale in his endeavor to re-embrace debate. Perhaps no other sports pundit has been as divisively contrarian as Bayless and it’s been a boon for his career. His history of third-rail opinions is lengthy, making this quote somewhat surprising.

"“I’m not suggesting I’m going to become some sort of shock jock because that’s not me. I say what I say because I believe it from the bottom of my soul and I can back it up. Now I feel like I can be completely honest heart-and-soul with full support from the people above me.”"

By definition, a shock jock delivers opinions in an intentionally provocative or offensive way. Only Bayless knows if his unpopular opinions are earnestly held. Whether intentional or not, they routinely moved the needle and spark conversation.

Bayless stood out on ESPN because of the network’s rather down-the-middle culture. His strong takes and overall shtick, however, is a hallmark of local sports radio. While he may not technically be a “shock jock,” his on-air persona is congruent with many who carry the label.

More important than defining Bayless is answering the question of how his offerings will look once he “takes off the handcuffs.” It’s hard to believe that we’ve seen a somewhat neutered version of Bayless this whole time. The new, unshackled version won’t debut for another month so anticipation will build.

Perhaps that was the goal of this interview. Bayless faces an uphill battle at Fox Sports and knows it, telling THR he “lives for challenges.” In that light, his comments are savvy. By selling himself as a rejuvenated and retooled voice, he’ll pique curiosity and perhaps convince those who believe they know what a Bayless show looks and sounds like.