Controversial host says he was held back by 'fearful' ESPN executives and vows to take off handcuffs at Fox

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless

(Skip Bayless, right, with Stephen A. Smith, his former cohost on ESPN's "First Take."Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Former "First Take" host Skip Bayless is no stranger to controversy, but it sounds as if it could have been even worse, as he says he was often held back by the Disney-owned ESPN.

Bayless, who is set to join Fox, told Marisa Guthrie of The Hollywood Reporter that those in charge at ESPN were "a little too fearful" of what could and could not be said on the air.

"Too many people in charge at ESPN, for my taste, were a little too fearful," Bayless told THR. "It's a Disney network. There are just certain boundaries that you can't even tiptoe along."

Bayless, who partnered with Stephen A. Smith on the "Embrace Debate" ratings hit, "First Take," is set to host a new debate-style show on Fox for which he will reportedly make $6 million a year on a new four-year contract.

Bayless and Smith were often criticized by fans and other members of the media for their over-the-top commentary that often digressed into yelling matches. Mark Cuban and Chris Bosh are among those to have offered sharp criticism.

At the same time, "First Take" has been a ratings hit for ESPN in a time slot where sports networks struggle to find content that resonates with fans. This has led the self-proclaimed worldwide leader in sports to add more debate shows and, according to Guthrie, caused ESPN executives to try to keep Bayless at a time when ESPN was laying off employees and other high-priced talent was being shown the door.

Despite vowing to take off the handcuffs, Bayless said he was not going to become a "shock jock."

"I'm not suggesting I'm going to become some sort of shock jock, because that's not me," Bayless told THR. "I say what I say because I believe it from the bottom of my soul and I can back it up. Now I feel like I can be completely honest heart-and-soul with full support from the people above me."

For those who have watched a fair share of "First Take," that will have to be seen to be believed.

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