Skip Bayless Claims Kobe Bryant's Sexual Assault Case Helped Him Sell Sneakers

ESPN's Skip Bayless put on his imaginary marketing-expert cap to make an outrageous claim about Kobe Bryant during "First Take" on Monday. Bayless and fellow co-host Stephen A. Smith had been discussing the unlikely endorsement deal recently landed by Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle before Bryant was mentioned. Randle inked an underwear endorsement deal just days after getting arrested for shoplifting underwear. Toward the end of the segment, Bayless made a surprising reference to Kobe and the sexual assault accusation brought against him in 2003.

"Remember Kobe pre-Eagle, Colorado. He failed in his first sneaker deal because he was just too clean-cut," Bayless claimed. "He couldn't sell sneakers because he didn't have enough edge. But then, post-Eagle, Colorado, it brought a little attention to him. It gave him a little bit of sizzle."

By saying "Eagle, Colorado," Bayless was referring the town where Bryant was charged with one count of sexual assault in 2003 after an incident involving a 19-year-old woman in a hotel. The charge was dropped in September 2004.

via SportsGrid