Dan Le Batard admits that he's fascinated by the hierarchy between the top voices in the sports media industry — and he continues to make bold claims about some of his former colleagues.
Le Batard spoke on his "The Dan Le Batard Show" on Sept. 27 and gave a striking claim about the top debate show talking heads: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith and FS1's Skip Bayless.
"Stephen A. Smith wants to end Skip Bayless' career," Le Batard said.
Related: Stephen A. Smith and Dan Le Batard finally face off
Le Batard's fascination comes with explaining the backstory of the two. He credits Bayless with successfully putting "First Take" on the map, while referring to Smith as Bayless' "protege."
"Skip Bayless was the godfather at ESPN of taking the show that was critically the worst, the most embarrassing show, and turning it into something that now represents their flagship," Le Batard said.
But as time went on, Smith drew more viewership than Bayless, and propelled "First Take" to even greater heights, according to Le Batard. Bayless left ESPN to lead his own show at FS1, but the numbers have not come close to matching Smith's success at ESPN.
Related: 'First Take' breaks records in first month with Shannon Sharpe
"Stephen A. outgrew him and it, now runs ESPN, makes that show in his name and likeness," Le Batard said. "Stephen A. Smith has increased [First Take's] numbers."
Then years after the two separated, seemingly settling into their own positions in the sports media landscape, Bayless' partner Shannon Sharpe ended up leaving him and working with Smith.
And Le Batard said that an added variable to Sharpe's departure is that he believes Sharpe, like Smith, may have outgrown Bayless.
"And I told you when this happened — Shannon Sharpe is more valuable to Skip at this point than Skip is to Shannon," Le Batard said. "He realizes, 'Wait a minute — my brand is strong enough, I don't need the networks.'"
Smith and Sharpe's partnership is now filled with Smith and ESPN constantly praising the NFL Hall-of-Famer on the broadcast, in contrast with Bayless who Le Batard says had occasionally undermined the capabilities of Sharpe.
"Why did Shannon Sharpe leave Skip Bayless and a successful partnership? Because respect was lost on the day that Skip Bayless said to Shannon Sharpe's face, 'Your career pales compared to Tom Brady's,'" Le Batard said.
Le Batard's claims about Smith wanting to beat Bayless are particular interesting especially as he and even Sharpe have continued to express their admiration for Bayless.
Sign up for Real Money Pro to learn the ins and outs of the trading floor from Doug Kass’s Daily Diary.
