Skip Bayless: "I Was the Most Underpaid On-Air Talent at ESPN"

Fox Sports 1’s Skip Bayless did a Recode podcast with Peter Kafka. Bayless’ departure from ESPN and First Take was discussed, leading to the following exchange (at the 10:42 mark).

Kafka: You become a star, you make a ton of money there. You’re at ESPN, which, even though it’s challenged now, is by far the dominant sports network –and still the major sports network …

Bayless: Quick point of order. I did not make a ton of money at ESPN but go ahead.

Kafka: I bet you were not poorly paid.

Bayless: By what I was giving them, I was poorly paid. I was the most underpaid on-air talent at ESPN for 12 years. That’s my opinion.

ESPN did value him enough to reportedly offer him $4 million and, according to Bayless, a segment on Monday Night Football.

Not surprisingly, a few of Bayless’ former co-workers don’t share his opinion regarding his compensation versus worth.

Personally, I find his comments to be both alarming and inspiring. I don’t even make half as much as those reported figures but it’s good to know the opportunity is out there.

[Recode]