ESPN’s Skip Bayless offered a sure-to-be controversial opinion Monday morning on “First Take.” Bayless suggested that NBA superstar Kobe Bryant benefited from 2003 sexual assault allegations brought against him in Eagles, Colorado.
Remember Kobe pre-Eagle, Colorado? He failed in his first sneaker deal because he was just too clean cut and I think it was Adidas that had him first, correct me if I’m wrong, but he couldn’t sell sneakers because he didn’t have enough edge. But then post-Eagle, Colorado it brought a little attention to him… like it gave him a little bit of… sizzle.
Co-host Cari Champion seemed visibly appalled by Bayless’ comments. “First Take” was recently in the news when co-host Stephen A. Smith sparked a controversy by saying that women must do a better job not instigating domestic violence.
In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the charges against Bryant after his accuser refused to testify and a civil trial was settled out of court. Bryant lost multiple sponsorships during the ordeal.