Ever wonder who keeps things running smoothly behind one of sports media’s most outspoken personalities?
Meet Ernestine Sclafani Bayless, the PR guru who’s been quietly building her own empire while supporting her husband Skip Bayless.
Let’s grab a coffee and chat about this amazing woman who proves you can have both a killer career and a thriving relationship.
Ernestine Sclafani Bayless Bio/Wiki
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Ernestine Sclafani Bayless |
| Born | August 3, 1962 |
| Age | 62 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Long Island, New York |
| Height | 5’7″ |
| Hair/Eyes | Blonde hair, Green eyes |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Jewish mother, Italian father) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Suffolk County Community College, Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Profession | Public Relations Expert, Author, Entrepreneur |
| Company | Ernestine Sclafani Bayless PR |
| Book | “Balls: How to Keep Your Relationship Alive When You Live with a Sports-Obsessed Guy” (2019) |
| Spouse | Skip Bayless (married July 28, 2016) |
| Children | None (Dog named Hazel) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1-5 million |
Ernestine Sclafani Personal Background
Born on August 3, 1962, in Long Island, New York, Ernestine Sclafani grew up in Mastic Beach near the Hamptons.
She’s now 62 years old (as of 2025) and brings a wealth of life experience to everything she does.
What makes Ernestine’s background especially interesting? She grew up with a mix of cultures – her mom was Jewish and her dad Italian, giving her a rich heritage that shaped her ability to connect with diverse clients.
Ernestine Sclafani Physical Characteristics
You might spot Ernestine at industry events standing 5’7″ with her signature blonde hair and striking green eyes.
Skip has lovingly described her as a “95-pound firecracker from Long Island,” which perfectly captures her energetic presence.
Her appearance matches her personality – polished, professional, yet approachable – exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s made a career helping others shine.
Ernestine Family Background
Ernestine comes from a family of high achievers, with her brother working as a doctor in Manhattan and her sister Joyce serving as a breast surgeon in Ohio.
Sadly, Ernestine lost her mother Evelyn to pancreatic cancer in August 2013, a personal loss that surely impacted her deeply.
Her family connections expanded when she married Skip, whose brother is celebrity chef Rick Bayless, owner of popular restaurants like Topolobampo.
Ernestine Sclafani Education
Ernestine built her knowledge foundation at Suffolk County Community College from 1982 to 1986 before heading to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
This combination gave her both general education and specialized fashion industry knowledge she’d need later in her career.
Her education choices show she was already mapping out a path in an image-focused industry – smart moves that would later pay off big time in her PR career.
Ernestine Sclafani Professional Career
Ready for an impressive career journey? Ernestine started at Izod Lacoste as an assistant accessories director back in 1981.
From there, she moved to Esmark Apparel as an Assistant Marketing Director from 1983-1985, already showing her marketing talents.
She then spent about a decade as the public relations director at Bally of Switzerland until 1995, before joining Edelman PR, where she worked for ten years as vice president. (wikipedia)
Between 2005 and 2018, Ernestine brought her expertise to Weber Shandwick PR, further building her reputation in the industry. (Distractify)
In 2018, she took the big leap and launched her own Los Angeles-based publicity firm, Ernestine Sclafani Bayless PR.
Her firm focuses on fashion, consumer lifestyle, sports, integrated marketing, nutrition, and event planning. She even created internal training sessions called “PR 101” for new media employees, sharing her expertise with others.
Notable Clients
Want to know who trusts Ernestine with their public image? Her client list reads like a who’s who of major brands!
She’s worked with Bank of America, Campbell’s Soup Company, Dunkin Donuts, FedEx, General Mills, Harley Davidson, and Kraft Foods.
Her expertise has also been sought by MAC Makeup, Motorola, Oreo, Unilever brands, Verizon, Ronald McDonald House, United States Army, USPS, Wines from Spain, Q Tips, Pedigree, State Farm, and Royal Caribbean.
These huge companies put their trust in her because she consistently delivers results in the high-pressure world of public relations.
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Media Placements Secured
Ernestine’s media connections? Simply next-level! She’s secured spots for her clients on major shows like Access Hollywood, CBS Early Show, CNN, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and The View.
These aren’t just any placements – they’re prime-time, high-visibility spots that most PR pros can only dream about securing.
Her ability to get clients this kind of exposure shows why she’s considered one of the best – she knows exactly who to call and how to pitch a story that will get picked up.
Ernestine Sclafani Relationship with Skip Bayless
How did Ernestine and Skip meet? It happened on the set of Cold Pizza when she was accompanying her client – “Entourage” actor Kevin Dillon.
Skip recalls glancing into the green room during a commercial break and instantly connecting with Ernestine in a brief 45-second chat.
Their first date came with a warning – Skip told her straight up that sports would always be his first love and she’d be second to his work.
Despite their different interests, they bonded over classic TV shows and 20th-century music, dating for 11 years before Skip proposed during a flight from Newark to Oklahoma City in 2010.
They tied the knot on July 28, 2016, in a private ceremony, and Skip’s feelings evolved over time – in 2023, he admitted: “The truth is, she is more important to me than my work.” (South China Morning Post)
Their secret to making it work? They spend most weekdays apart but have a sacred Friday date night tradition, almost always including watching Jeopardy episodes together – a ritual they’ve kept for nearly 20 years!
Ernestine Sclafani Personal Life
Ernestine and Skip don’t have children, but they’re devoted “parents” to their Maltese dog named Hazel, who they lovingly refer to as their “daughter” on social media.
When walking Hazel, Ernestine carries peanuts to feed neighborhood squirrels and has even named her favorite one “little man.”
Her hobbies include ping-pong, swimming, golf, and running, with pizza as her favorite food. She enjoys Woody Allen movies, classic TV shows like “I Love Lucy,” and counts Aaron Rodgers and Danny Green among her favorite sports figures.
Though born in New York, she reportedly loves Los Angeles more than her hometown – can’t blame her with that sunshine!
Published Work
In 2019, Ernestine took all her experience living with a sports-obsessed husband and turned it into her book “Balls: How to Keep Your Relationship Alive When You Live with a Sports-Obsessed Guy.”
Her book offers practical advice for keeping your relationship thriving even when you’re competing with “the other woman” – sports!
She shares her journey of learning to co-exist with Skip’s sports obsession while not being a sports fan herself – relationship wisdom we could all use!
Public Presence
While Skip dominates sports TV, Ernestine has crafted her own public identity as a PR expert and author, showing that partners of celebrities can shine on their own terms.
She describes herself professionally as a “true storyteller at heart” with the “keen ability to execute powerful stories that are award-winning.”
In 2024-2025, she’s expanded her visibility by appearing on episodes of Skip’s podcast for special “Skip vs. Ernestine” segments, bringing their unique relationship dynamic to listeners.
Ernestine Sclafani Net worth
Based on her impressive career path, Ernestine’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $8 million as of 2025, primarily built through her extensive PR career. (Legit)
This financial independence speaks volumes about her professional success – she’s not just “Skip Bayless’s wife” but a successful businesswoman in her own right.
Her wealth comes from decades of high-level executive positions and now her own PR firm, showing how consistency and expertise pays off over time.
Recent Developments (2024-2025)
Big changes came for the couple in 2024 when Skip parted ways with Fox Sports after eight years of hosting Undisputed on FS1, with the news breaking on July 15, 2024.
They’ve navigated this professional transition together, with Skip now focusing more on his podcast, where Ernestine occasionally joins him.
January 2025 brought unwanted attention with a lawsuit filed by Noushin Faraji, a former Fox News hairstylist, accusing Skip of making unwanted sexual advances – a challenge the couple now faces together.
Notable Quotes
“She is the strongest willed & can elbow her way into my life better than the others,” Skip has said about Ernestine, comparing her to previous relationships.
When asked what she wants the world to know about Skip, Ernestine shared: “He has a good dry sense of humor, has a big heart” – showing us his private side.
In a 2019 interview with the New York Post, Skip expressed: “She’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I get emotional about it because she is so real, so true and so loyal.”
Interesting Facts About Ernestine Sclafani:
- Created “PR 101” training sessions for new media employees.
- Feeds neighborhood squirrels during dog walks.
- Has a favorite squirrel she calls “little man”
- Maintains a 20-year tradition of watching Jeopardy with Skip.
- Takes annual vacations to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Prefers Los Angeles to her native New York.
- Married Skip in a completely private ceremony with no guests.
- Her dog Hazel unusually loves squirrels despite being a dog.
- Has a zodiac sign of Leo
- Married Skip after 11 years of dating.
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Conclusion
What makes Ernestine Sclafani truly special? She’s mastered the balancing act – maintaining her own identity and successful career while supporting a partner with an all-consuming passion.
Her story teaches us about compromise without losing yourself – something we can all learn from regardless of our relationship status.
From her Long Island roots to becoming a PR powerhouse and navigating life with one of sports media’s most controversial figures, Ernestine shows that with the right approach, you really can have it all!
FAQs
How did Ernestine Sclafani meet Skip Bayless?
They met on the set of Cold Pizza when Ernestine was accompanying her client, actor Kevin Dillon.
What is Ernestine Sclafani’s profession?
She’s a public relations expert who now runs her own PR firm specializing in fashion, consumer lifestyle, and sports marketing.
Does Ernestine Sclafani have any children?
Ernestine and Skip don’t have children but consider their Maltese dog Hazel their “daughter.”
What book did Ernestine Sclafani write?
In 2019, she published “Balls: How to Keep Your Relationship Alive When You Live with a Sports-Obsessed Guy.”
How do Skip and Ernestine maintain their relationship despite different interests?
They have a weekly Friday date night tradition where they watch TV together, particularly Jeopardy.
Is Ernestine Sclafani related to Rick Bayless?
Yes, celebrity chef Rick Bayless is her brother-in-law (Skip’s brother).
What is Ernestine Sclafani’s estimated net worth?
Her net worth is estimated between $1-5 million as of 2025, primarily from her PR career.
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