Never one to stay away from sports debates for too long, Skip Bayless is joining with Gilbert Arenas for a new talk show on football. Both personalities have been in the news over the past year for legal problems.
The former host of ESPN’s First Take and FS1’s Undisputed will host a new digital show for Underdog called “The Arena: Gridiron.” Bayless’ new show will follow in the lead of Arenas’ own program “Gil’s Arena,” also produced by Underdog, which has gained fame over the past year for the former NBA player’s viral takes.
The Athletic was the first to report on Bayless signing with Underdog.
Bayless will host the show alongside former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib and former Washington Commanders head coach Jay Gruden. Arenas will appear on the show from time to time, as will former NFLers Gerald McCoy and Cody Kessler.
Bayless has not appeared on a platform other than his own since leaving Fox Sports after the cancellation of Undisputed last August. He was one of several defendants in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Fox Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji. In the lawsuit, Faraji claimed that Bayless, who is married, offered her $1.5 million for sex. Also named as defendants are former FS1 host Joy Taylor and former executive Charlie Dixon.
Last week, Faraji’s attorney asked a civil court in Los Angeles to dismiss the suit. The request was denied, but according to the Los Angeles Times, the plaintiff’s request was a sign that a settlement is near.
This would not be the first time Underdog brought on a big name for a football show. Bill Belichick, the former New England Patriots head coach, hosted a fantasy football show for the brand, one of several media gigs he held in his brief time away from the sidelines. Belichick since took over the head coaching job at North Carolina, where he and his girlfriend/advisor Jordon Hudson are looking to take advantage of recent media attention.
Arenas, a three-time NBA All-Star with the Washington Wizards, has made a name for himself as a media personality, mostly through YouTube and social media, but also some analyst work for ESPN’s talk shows.
The former NBA star has had his own legal troubles, perhaps unwittingly telegraphed by a decade-old trademark application. In July, Arenas was arrested and indicted along with five other defendants on charges of operating an illegal gambling business out of his home in Encino, Calif. He was taken into custody by FBI agents and subsequently released on a $50,000 bond after entering a not guilty plea. He faces two criminal counts, each of which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
