Sports fans are teeing off on FOX Sports for their surprise decision on popular host Joy Taylor.
On Thursday, FOX Sports announced their shows and lineups for FS1 this year. Many assumed that Joy Taylor would continue co-hosting the popular “Speak” program with former NFL running back LeSean McCoy and linebacker Emmanuel Acho, but that won’t be the case.
FOX Sports announced that Acho and McCoy will instead co-host a new show called “The Facility” with former NFL wide receiver James Jones and longtime backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
As for Taylor, she’ll continue to co-host “Speak” with Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce and former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. The new program will run from 5 pm to 7 pm EST. The other new FS1 show,” Breakfast Ball” will be co-hosted by Craig Carton, Mark Schlereth and Danny Parkins.
Needless to say, sports fans were disappointed with the announcement and think Joy Taylor deserved better:
Joy you handle your business but those other two will bring the ratings down to zero. Have a backup plan.
— Large Bottom Productions (@Marzuq_Asanti) August 22, 2024
Damn shame you’re stuck with Paul Pierce
— G (@gabbott03) August 22, 2024
My condolences Joy🙏
— HawkMark (@sisbrit60) August 22, 2024
There is no way your happy about this 😆 😂 😅 who’s gonna watch this ?
— Currency365 (@Currency365) August 23, 2024
We are keeping you lifted in prayer girl lol
— Certified Hoodie Thief 🏁 (@KryssyLaReina) August 22, 2024
They killed Joy Taylor with this cast ..
The Undisputed left overs
Zzzzzz https://t.co/sHNiaDv0NS— Héctor Cantú (@HectorCantu_) August 23, 2024
Paul Pierce is a walking HR nightmare. I am glad the star of the show will be Joy Taylor. https://t.co/pl0UavjcTD
— Hollastar (@Hollastar) August 22, 2024
I see it too.
1. Paul Pierce is very terrible at tv but they need a basketball guy
2. Joy Taylor probably is the best out the 3 but they made her a host so she may not get much words in. And Pierce will bother her
3. Keyshawn is mid he can be replaced with anyone
— I hate everything (@YoGeechi) August 23, 2024
Joy Taylor was the moderator of “Undisputed,” which Bayless and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe co-hosted from 2016 to 2023. Sharpe left FS1 last summer, and the show’s TV ratings cratered big-time as a result.
With Bayless leaving the network, FOX canceled “Undisputed” altogether. While it’s unclear if another network will eventually pick him up, Bayless is keeping himself busy by running his own show on YouTube.
Time Will Tell How Joy Taylor Does With Her New Co-Hosts
It’s easy for fans to critique FS1’s decision to partner up Taylor with two polarizing former athletes. But we need to wait and see how things play out over the first couple of weeks before rushing to judgment on the new lineup.
For all we know, Johnson and Pierce will form strong chemistry with Taylor on “Speak.” She did an excellent job moderating “Undisputed” during the (many) heated arguments between Sharpe and Bayless, so of course Taylor can flourish with Johnson and Pierce.
