In what can be described as a somewhat shocking development, it has been announced that controversial ‘First Take‘ co-host Skip Bayless is leaving ESPN after 12 years to reportedly join Fox Sports when his contract expires this summer.

One of ESPN’s most recognizable personalities is leaving the network https://t.co/cLYxEFjh3N pic.twitter.com/HxbAeJtuWK

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— Business Insider (@businessinsider) April 26, 2016

Bayless, 64, joined ESPN full time back in 2004. A number of prior ESPN shows and segments like ‘Cold Pizza’ and ‘First And 10’ consolidated into ‘First Take’, which Bayless is most known for co-hosting with provocateur Stephen A. Smith.

ESPN released an official statement.

Skip Bayless has decided to leave ESPN when his contract expires at the end of August. His final appearance on First Take will be the day after the NBA Finals conclude. We want to thank Skip for his many contributions to ESPN. His hard work and talent have benefited ESPN for 12 years.

According to a number of industry sources, Bayless is expected to join Fox Sports 1 and host or co-host a new opinion show. It’s widely assumed Bayless will receive $5 million at minimum per year at his projected new home, as whispers suggest ESPN was prepared to offer him $4 million per year, but was still unable to keep him with the network.

First Take was slated to broadcast from the NFL Draft in Chicago later this week. But according to an ESPN press release, the plans have been scrapped, and no further details about the show’s future have surfaced.

ESPN has lost a number of personalities to Fox Sports 1 over the past year or so (Colin Cowherd, Charissa Thompson), and the trend projects to continue as the new network allows its personalities more creative freedom than they ever had in Bristol.