"I give you every last ounce to earn the money that they pay me, it's called a contract" - Skip Bayless on his commitment to honor contracts at any cost

Skip Bayless often makes headlines with his controversial statements and criticism of NBA and NFL players. Bayless was recently embroiled in a war of words with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

Speaking on "The Skip Bayless Show," Bayless stressed that he always honors his contracts. Bayless said ESPN offered him a chance to return to the network, but that he turned it down due to his commitment to Fox Sports.

"I just believe in contracts. I have a contract. A couple of years back, Stephen A. wanted me to return, reunite with him at ESPN. ESPN made an offer, in my contract was a matching clause and Fox matched. And I'm still here and I go to work with all my heart and soul every day.

"I love working with Shannon Sharpe, it was different with Stephen A. I was open to returning if they didn't match but I'm here and I give you every last ounce to earn the money that they pay me. It's called a contract," Bayless said.

Bayless left ESPN in 2016, and they replaced him with Max Kellerman. Last year, Bayless put pen to paper on a new four-year contract reportedly worth over $30 million.

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Skip Bayless' relationship with Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. and Skip attending an event.

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless seemingly had a good working relationship. Smith has praised Bayless in the past for being a mentor to him. However, things took an ugly turn during Smith's interview with JJ Redick on the podcast "The Old Man and the Three."

Smith spoke about how he essentially saved First Take and Bayless by coming on board to boost TV ratings.

Bayless retaliated by saying he felt "betrayed" and that Smith's comments "stung him to the core."

Needless to say, things aren't rosy between Bayless and Smith right now.