Skip Bayless returns to the debate arena on The Arena Gridiron

Skip Bayless is returning to the debate arena on a new digital football program that will launch next Tuesday, joining former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and a panel of ex-NFL figures in a show produced and owned by gaming and media company Underdog. The Arena Gridiron will stream three times a week on Arenas' channel, which will be rebranded as The Arena presented by Underdog, producers and the hosts said.

Bayless, 73, told The Athletic he is "more on fire for this than I have ever been" and called the pairing with Arenas a sought-after partnership. The program will feature Bayless alongside Arenas, former NFL coach Jay Gruden and former All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib, with social media influencer Kinsey Wolanski serving as host. Recurring guests are expected to include former Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy and quarterback Cody Kessler, according to announcements about the show.

Underdog, founded about five years ago, already produces Arenas' popular digital basketball program Gils Arena, which helped make Arenas a prominent personality in online sports media. Bayless said he sought a partner who could "excite" and "challenge" him and praised Arenas' digital reach and sports acumen,...