Skip Bayless Reveals He Told His Wife She’d Be ‘Second’ to His Work When They First Met

Bayless, who has been married since 2016, has had a career in sports journalism since the '70s.

October 23, 2024
Skip Bayless
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Paley Center for Media)

Skip Bayless is so dedicated to sports commentating that he told his wife she’ll always be second to that in his life.

Bayless sat down on the Pat Bev Podcast to discuss his dedication to his job, revealing just how long it has been a part of his life.

“On my first date with my now-wife Ernestine…I said if this relationship ever lifts off and goes any place, you’re just going to have to know from day one that you’ll be second in my life to my work,” explained Bayless. “Because it’s not just my work to me — it’s my passion. It’s my life. It’s my essence. It’s my reason for being.”

Bayless then revealed that’s why he doesn’t have kids, sharing his wish to avoid the responsibility of attending recitals, rehearsals, and weddings and most other obligations. “I don’t do very much oof them, it’s rare and you have to be a really close friend of mine that I’m going to sacrifice to go and miss a LeBron game so I can go to your event,” said Bayless.

“If you have a kid, you have to be there for your kid — but I chose to dedicate my life to this,” Bayless added. “As silly as it might seem to some people, I am all about this to a fault and I barely have enough time for my wife.”

Bayless’ dedication has paid off as he’s become one of the most popular sports commentators in the world. Earlier this year, he left Undisputed, the sports show he hosted on Fox Sports 1 for eight years. At the time, he announced that he was “excited for what’s coming up.”

One game that Bayless will undoubtedly be more tuned in to than ever is LeBron James and son Bronny’s first game together when the Lakers take on the Timberwolves Tuesday night. Ahead of the game, LeBron posted a video of him hazing Bronny by pouring cereal in his car before being driven off by a chauffeur.

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