Skip Bayless is officially returning to ESPN, and will join Stephen A. Smith in a recurring role that begins later this month.Smith confirmed the news of their reunion on Friday afternoon, while Bayless joined him on his SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio show.Smith (L) will welcome Bayless (R) back to First Take once a monthGettyESPN’s $105 million star revealed he will be joined by his former on-screen foe every Friday on SiriusXM, and the last Friday of every month on First Take.Stephen A. Smith to reunite with Skip Bayless on First Take“Let me alert the public to what’s going on,” Smith began.“On Fridays, yours truly and the one and only Skip Bayless will be joining me on this show. So, let’s get that out the way.“That’s every Friday, the beatdown is coming, my condolences to you.NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.MORE INFO & SIGN-UP HERE!This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.“But the other part that everybody needs to know, starting next week, the last Friday of every single month, Skip Bayless will join yours truly on First Take.“You are back, my brother.”Smith and Bayless were a regular feature on First Take for four years, working together between 2012 and 2016.They were responsible for many viral moments in the show’s history, clashing on a five-days-per-week basis under the ‘Embrace Debate’ format.Bayless left in 2016, after his contract expired, but returned for a guest appearance earlier this year, following a decade-long hiatus.“I am personally highly entertained by getting to sit across from you,” Bayless told Smith as they announced a more regular return.Smith and Bayless reunited for a one-day show on First Take earlier this yearESPN“You are a one and an only, and I do believe what you and I had, and will have, is a one and an only.”For ESPN, the reunion brings back one of the most recognizable debate pairings in sports television.But after a summer of headlines that saw multiple talents lose their jobs in a restructure, Smith and Bayless will only share the First Take desk once a month.Fans react to Skip Bayless’ ESPN returnWhile there might not be an audience appetite to see the pair clash on a day-to-day basis, news of Skip’s return made waves on social media — with some suggesting his comeback hasn’t been maximized.“Skip coming back to save the real essence of the show,” one wrote on X.“Huge fumble. It should be on Monday’s after a full slate of football games,” another said.Bayless helped turn First Take into one of ESPN’s most successful showsGettyHe’ll also reunite with Smith on a regular basis on SiriusXMGetty“I’ll be tuning in every Friday, love or hate them Stephen A and Skip are bound to bring us some more hilarious moments together,” a third wrote.“He should be brought back FULL TIME,” a fourth suggested.While a one-day reunion in May saw Smith and Bayless recycle their favorite debates on the Dallas Cowboys and LeBron James, a regular monthly slot offers them the chance to create much more viral content.Given their track records, it won’t be long before that happens.Join talkSPORT’s dedicated US Sports YouTube channel The S* Word every Tuesday and Thursday for our brand new NFL shows.On Tuesdays, Will Gavin and US senior reporter Brian T. Smith will debate the biggest talking points from the NFL weekend, while on Thursdays Efe Obada joins the crew to talk to players past and present and break down what to look for across the league.