Outspoken bad boys (and girls) Fox Sports could hire to challenge ESPN

The enfant terrible of sports TV. Remorseless, exasperating, infuriating. Claims he has never lost an argument.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated calls the co-host of ESPN2's "First Take" a "carnival barker." But Bayless has been one constant between old "Cold Pizza" and today's top-rated "First Take" with co-hosts Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim.

His contract is up this year. "Of course, we're interested in Skip," said Fox Sports 1 programming chief Jamie Horowitz. 

MORE: FS1's plan to woo Bayless

Bayless' sparring partner on "First Take" is becoming the face of ESPN in many ways. ESPN management uses Smith anywhere and everywhere, from "SportsCenter" to NFL programming.

Despite suspending him for his controversial comments during the Ray Rice case, ESPN signed Smith to a long-term contract extension last year, so he's not a pending free agent like Bayless.

The co-host of ESPN2's "His and Hers" with Michael Smith, Hill is a versatile talent who's viewed as one of the up-and-coming stars in Bristol.

Horowitz wants to make a hard shift away from news/highlights and toward personality-focused, opinion-driven programming. That's exactly what Hill and Smith did as they retooled their former data-focused "Numbers Never Lie" into a show more resembling their "His and Hers" podcast.

After doing a little of everything since joining ESPN in 2004, Smith has found his voice on ESPN2's weekday "His and Hers" show, which follows "First Take" at noon ET.

He and partner Jemele Hill have a Michael Wilbon-Tony Kornheiser-like chemistry on the air. They also appeal to a younger, more diverse target audience, which is key for ESPN as it sells advertising on Madison Avenue.

The father-son duo have teamed with Bomani Jones to make "Highly Questionable" a solid addition to ESPN2's weekday lineup. Dan Le Batard has long been one of ESPN's bad boys.

He sparked outrage in the conservative baseball community by giving up his Hall of Fame vote to Deadspin. He was suspended by ESPN for taking out his own billboard in Akron, Ohio, trolling LeBron James. He's great on radio, too. Listen to this hilarious segment riffing on a Chris "Mad Dog" Russo rant about Tom Brady's father.

The host of SiriusXM "Mad Dog Sports Radio" is famous for his emotional, hilarious rants. You want opinion? Nobody loses his mind on the air like the Mad Dog. Just listen to his 2003 rant about the San Francisco Giants. Or the Dog going off on Tom Brady's father for claiming his son was framed by the NFL during the "Framegate" investigation.

"Oh, shut the hell up! Shut up! Keep your mouth shut! Your son got nailed, keep your friggin' mouth shut," said Russo. "Framegate, my ass. Shut up!"

Russo also has TV experience, taking his rants to MLB Network with the midday show "High Heat."

No matter how many memos ESPN sends out to on-air talent about avoiding politics, the former major league pitcher (and Red Sox hero) keeps talking politics.

In his most recent dust-up, Schilling said Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton should be "buried under a jail somewhere" for her handling of classified emails while secretary of state. ESPN confirmed Schilling will be returning to "Monday Night Baseball" telecasts during the 2016 season. But how many lives does Schilling have before Bristol finally shows him the door?

MORE: ESPN shouldn't fire Schilling, and here's why

Beadle rose to stardom with co-host Colin Cowherd on Horowitz's old "SportsNation" show on ESPN2. After hitting it big on "SportsNation," Beadle jumped to NBC Sports, where she hosted her own show "The Crossover." But the show was canceled and Beadle was miserable at the Peacock Network.

She made a smart move by returning to ESPN, where she's back co-hosting "SportsNation" with Marcellus Wiley and Max Kellerman. Would Beadle have the brass to leave a "SportsNation" gig that fits her like a glove — twice? ESPN might not taker her back next time.

Outspoken, fearless and incisive. If that's what Horowitz says he wants for FS1, then Bilas delivers in spades.

Bilas has become one of the most critical and respected voices in college sports. The former Duke basketball star rightly ripped his alma mater for unjustly framing its own student-athletes in the infamous lacrosse scandal. He blasted Penn State as a "conspiracy of cowards" for failing to report or stop pedophile football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

He's one of the leading voices today on why student-athletes should be paid.

MORE: Bilas honored by Hall of Fame

The comedian's comedian is fierce, funny and profane. Burr doesn't do political correctness, which would make him a great fit with FS1.

He humorously declared himself a supporter of steroids — and fans falling out of the upper deck — in his stand-up routines. He also acted on one of the greatest TV shows of all time, "Breaking Bad." You can't help but like a guy who concludes his own bio by writing, "That's it. Go F— Yourself."

The comedian/actor sparked debate and introspection with his seven-minute monologue on why African-Americans are abandoning baseball on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," and why that's bad news for MLB as it tries to reach a more diverse audience.

Said Rock: "(Baseball) is the only game where there's a 'right' way to play the game. The white way. The way it was played 100 years ago, when only whites were allowed to play."

The outspoken radio host and wife of former Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes ripped Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins, the NFL and the Falcons via social media in recent years. 

Brent Grimes publicly defended Miko's right to publicly express her opinion, but it may have taken a toll. The three-time Pro Bowler was released by the Dolphins. He signed this offseason with the Buccaneers.

MORE: Miko calls Dolphins 'Dumpster fire' | Owner expressed disdain for Miko