Troy Aikman isn’t going to ignore his company’s big-name free-agent acquisition.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback understandably is unhappy about FOX’s decision to hire noted sports loudmouth Skip Bayless, whose new show debuted Monday.
Aikman, FOX’s lead NFL color commentator, ripped the network for hiring Bayless after his contract with ESPN expired.
“To say I’m disappointed in the hiring of Skip Bayless would be an enormous understatement,” Aikman told SI media writer Richard Deitsch in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “Clearly, (Fox Sports president of national networks) Jamie Horowitz and I have a difference of opinion when it comes to building a successful organization. I believe success is achieved by acquiring and developing talented, respected and credible individuals, none of which applies to Skip Bayless.”
That’ll make for an awkward water-cooler discussion, huh?
Aikman and Bayless do have a history, so the Hall of Famer’s criticism isn’t out of nowhere. Bayless, who covered the Cowboys during Aikman’s playing days, claimed in a book he wrote that Aikman was gay.
Aikman obviously hasn’t forgot, which probably goes a long way in explaining his rather outspoken critique of the Bayless hire.
FOX reportedly gave Bayless a contract worth more than $5 million per year, in addition to a $4 million signing bonus.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
