ESPN First Take co-host Stephen A. Smith gave an understandably assured response when CNN’s Abby Phillip asked him about his scores dominance over his former co-host Skip Bayless.

Bayless left First Take in 2016 to co-host Undisputed on Fox Sports activities 1. In June, Bayless co-host Shannon Sharpe exited the express, at which level the program took a hiatus. This system back this week, with Bayless hosting with Michael Irvin, Keyshawn Johnson, and Richard Sherman.

“One among your rivals, Skip Bayless – as many individuals may just know – launched a revamped show this week,” Phillip said to Smith. “And your convey, First Take overwhelmed him in the rankings. So, there have been a variety of headlines about how all the co-hosts have been shouting over him and dominating the airwaves on Bayless’ convey. What were your thoughts about that and how it went?”

Smith responded by announcing that as long as he is on First Take, the exhibit will dominate the ratings. He added that he desires Undisputed to stay in 2nd in perpetuity:

Smartly, pay attention, I wouldn’t be where I’m lately if it weren’t for Skip Bayless giving me the opportunity to carry me on the exhibit First Take in 2012. He’s a chum and a brother, and I’m eternally grateful to him for the chance that he gave me.

However he’s on the opposite side now. Michael Irvin is a chum of mine. Keyshawn Johnson is a friend of mine. Richard Sherman’s a friend of mine. Michael Irvin and myself and Keyshawn Johnson and myself, are very, very close. We’re like brothers to at least one any other. However they recognize what time it is. They’re on the opposite side. And so, as a result of that, primarily Skip Bayless and Undisputed, they do what they do at FS1. I do what I do at First Take.

I arrived in 2012. We’ve been primary due to the fact. He departed in 2016. We’ve been number one. He was once long gone from 2016 to 2023. We still– First Take nonetheless remains number one. And so far as I’m concerned, as long as I’m on the convey, we’re gonna keep primary as a result of I don’t play to lose.

And so, knock on wooden, who is aware of what’s going to occur? God has blessed me and Molly Qerim and all the producers and all of the honchos at ESPN to be primary. But Abby Phillip, I don’t play to lose. I’m here to win. I’m no longer rooting towards Skip Bayless or all of my brothers, but I’m rooting for myself. I don’t need them to fail. I simply want them to be endlessly in 2nd situation to First Take and I purpose for it to be precisely that in the rest that I do. It’s simply that simple to me.

In line with Entrance Place of work Sports, Undisputed “drew 131,000 viewers on Monday to 448,000 for ESPN’s prime-rated First Take.”

The outlet said that the rankings gap between the two shows widened in subsequent days.

Watch above by the use of ESPN.

The put up Stephen A. Smith Says He Desires Former Co-Host Skip Bayless ‘Endlessly In 2nd Position’ In the Scores first appeared on Mediaite.