Skip Bayless is an American sports columnist, television personality, and author with a net worth of about $15 million. He was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on December 4, 1951. His parents were Sylvester and Levita Bayless. Skip’s father owned an ammunition factory that later went bankrupt when he was only 12 years old.

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Net Worth
Skip Bayless has an estimated net worth of $17 million (as of 2025). His major income comes from being a sports commentator, columnist, and TV personality. His huge contract with Fox Sports, in addition to the book deals and speaking engagements he does, adds a lot to his overall wealth.

Biography
Skip Bayless was born John Edward “Skip” Bayless II, and he is an American sports columnist as well as a television personality who is recognized for his controversial stint on First Take with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN. He now works for Fox Sports, hosting the Undisputed.

Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | John Edward “Skip” Bayless II |
Date of Birth | December 4, 1951 |
Age | 73 years old (as of 2025) |
Place of Birth | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA |
Profession | Sports columnist, commentator, TV personality |
Net Worth | $17 million (as of 2025) |
Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) |
Education | Bachelor’s degree in English and History from Vanderbilt University |
Career Highlights | Renowned for his outspoken commentary on ESPN’s First Take and Fox Sports’ Undisputed |
Notable Shows | Skip and Shannon: Undisputed on FS1 (2016–2023) |
Books | Author of several sports-related books, including ones on the Dallas Cowboys |
Personality Traits | Known for his controversial opinions and strong debates on sports topics |
Skip Bayless was born on December 4, 1951. Thus, Skip Bayless’s age is currently 73 years (as of 2025). Despite his age, he’s an active sports media personality that still connects well with the audience through his enthusiastic takes.
Height
Skip Bayless stands at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters). His height, although that of an average man, often gets overshadowed by his giant personality and extremely confident approach on TV.
Education
Skip graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in English and history. At Vanderbilt, he was also the sports editor of the university’s student newspaper, which is kind of where his interest in reporting really grew. Then his education definitely lent itself nicely to his career.

Career
Skip Bayless has been working for years, and he began his career as a sports columnist in newspapers such as The Miami Herald, The Dallas Morning News, and the Chicago Tribune. Then he moved onto television, where he became the co-host of ESPN’s First Take, producing high-energy debates with Stephen A. Smith. In 2016, Skip went to Fox Sports to co-host Skip and Shannon: Undisputed. If he wasn’t well-known before then, at that moment there was no denying Skip had turned himself into a sports media icon. He is also an author of various sports team books, including one on the Dallas Cowboys.

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FAQs
What is Skip Bayless’s most well-known TV show?
While Skip Bayless has contributed to several sports media shows, his most notable appearances have come on ESPN’s First Take and the FS1 program, Skip and Shannon: Undisputed. Both shows revolve around debate topics in the world of sports, building off of controversial takes like those often made by Bayless.
How did Skip Bayless start his career?
Skip started off his career as a sports columnist. He worked with The Miami Herald, then went onto work for The Dallas Morning News and Chicago Tribune. He gained national prominence there and parlayed that to a TV career.
What are the main controversies of Skip Bayless?
With his outspoken nature, Skip Bayless sometimes takes shots at big athletes like LeBron James that leave fans and analysts divided. His controversial statements, raising doubts over a player’s mental toughness or success, spark heated discussions in the world of sports.