Skip Bayless and Jenny Taft had a little friction in a segment about Lincoln Riley on FS1’s “Undisputed” on Monday.
Shannon Sharpe started to include Taft in a conversation about Riley, who departed Oklahoma for USC on Sunday. Bayless said, “I think you’re talking to me.”
Taft then responded, “I’m also a part of this conversation. I was around Oklahoma a lot this year.”
Sharpe then waved Taft off, and Bayless continued to speak.
Taft is the sideline reporter on Fox Sports’ top college football team, alongside Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt, so she has covered a number of Oklahoma games over the past several years. Bayless is an Oklahoma native, and in the rest of the segment made it clear he was not a huge fan of Riley’s move.
“In case y’all wondering I do have plenty to say about Lincoln and I’m also pretty sure I’m the one who has been around him the most!” Taft tweeted after the segment.
This is the second time in recent months that Taft has had friction with Bayless on “Undisputed.” In August, Taft strenuously disagreed with Bayless’ assessment that Mike McCarthy’s lack of physical fitness was an indictment on him as a head coach. She stated that she was allowed to have an opinion:
There is an inherent conflict with being a host of Bayless’ debate show, whether it was “First Take” at ESPN or “Undisputed” on FS1. The format is set up for the host to moderate the debate between Bayless and his sparring partner, rather than participate in it.
Cari Champion — who applauded Taft for standing up against Bayless on McCarthy in August — left “First Take” for a hosting role on “SportsCenter” in 2015.
“I’ve reached my ceiling. The growth for me has stopped in the middle seat. … Now it’s time to stretch my wings,” Champion said of leaving “First Take.”