BREAKING: Max Kellerman expected to be removed from ESPN’s ‘First Take’

[k0kakw0rld]

Sources tell OutKick that ESPN is exploring moving Kellerman to its morning radio show. Keep in mind, ESPN wanted to pair Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson on morning radio one year ago, as Ryan Glasspiegel and I reported last June. These plans fell through for various reasons. Kellerman ultimately stayed on First Take, received an afternoon radio show, and ESPN Radio paired Johnson with Jay Williams and Zubin Mehenti. ESPN has since discussed replacing Mehenti, who is off air dealing with complications from diabetes.

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While Kellerman’s future will get the attention right now, Stephen A. Smith’s backstage politics are the real story. Smith’s disdain for Kellerman as a co-host is the worst kept secret in sports media circles. Kellerman’s removal was even a topic in Smith’s 2019 contract negotiations. Smith lost that battle at the time, and Kellerman stayed. ESPN did raise Smith’s salary to over $10 million a year though, so it wasn’t for nothing.

But Kellerman’s time on First Take always had an expiration date because of Smith’s relationship with ESPN Senior Vice President Dave Roberts, who oversees First Take.

As the saying in the industry goes, what Stephen A. Smith wants, Roberts makes happen. For background, Roberts wanted to shake up First Take dating back to 2018. As first reported by the Hollywood Reporter, Roberts tried to replace the show’s host Molly Qerim. Stephen A. Smith was likely on board with this as well.

On First Take, you are treated based on how Smith and Roberts feel about you that day. For Kellerman, it was often unpleasant. Not even claiming that Donald Trump’s base in the SEC is susceptible to low-quality information could save Kellerman from Smith and Roberts’ power.

SAS is toxic period.

[Shogon]

Kellerman is a solid analyst. He's definitely not always right, as none of us are. But he's a very bright guy overall. Not that he's bad on camera but I think he might be most effective with print or a show where he is the host like... Molly's role or something. He was really good on ATH back in the day imo.

SAS is more entertaining... and First Take has not been the same since Skip left. SAS needs another guy that is willing to give as demonstrative takes as he is... and Kellerman just wasn't that guy. Kellerman gives better takes... SAS' antics put butts in seats. It is what it is.

[DoctorP]

Kellerman is a wannabee SAS.

[FultzNationRISE]

Would rather spend 30 minutes watching garbage decompose than tune into “ESPN First Take.”

Not that there’s much difference.

[Patrick Chewing]

Everyone on that network is hot garbage.

[Im Still Ballin]

Would rather spend 30 minutes watching garbage decompose than tune into “ESPN First Take.”

Not that there’s much difference.

Hate to check you here dude, but you should've italicized ESPN First Take.

[ArbitraryWater]

It didnt look good here thats for sure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HLCQqf44So


was after finals when he was super condescending to Max

[FultzNationRISE]

Hate to check you here dude, but you should've italicized ESPN First Take.


Well I hate to check-raise you in return, DUDE, but I used quotations as a means of de-legitimizing. Similar to conveying sarcasm, for instance in telling you how much I love the "help" your very "insightful" post offers.

Though not specifically sarcasm in the post you referenced, my use of quotations around "ESPN First Take" indicates I dont take the program seriously, and I only even deign to speak of it because I am quoting OP's use of the title in the original post.



You got that, BUSTER?

[90sgoat]

Never liked him.

[Im Still Ballin]

Well I hate to check-raise you in return, DUDE, but I used quotations as a means of de-legitimizing. Similar to conveying sarcasm, for instance in telling you how much I love the "help" your very "insightful" post offers.

Though not specifically sarcasm in the post you referenced, my use of quotations around "ESPN First Take" indicates I dont take the program seriously, and I only even deign to speak of it because I am quoting OP's use of the title in the original post.



You got that, BUSTER?

Fair point. You zinged me bro.

[Phoenix]

I must be under a rock because I didn't know SAS and Max had a bad relationship.

Anyways, while all of these sports talk shows are hyperbole and propaganda driven I find Skip and Shannon fairly entertaining. Was backstage politics why Skip left ESPN?

[LLL3]

Kellerman is more intelligent and better looking than SAS plus he has more street in him which SAS probably views as a threat. But I still think he should be fired for that stupid sly smirk he always has on his face

[Mask the Embiid]

I’m still not gonna watch. Firing max won’t bring me back

[Lebron23]

He don't know $hit about basketball. He don't know $hit about boxing. He don't know shot about football and baseball.

[FultzNationRISE]

I must be under a rock because I didn't know SAS and Max had a bad relationship.

Anyways, while all of these sports talk shows are hyperbole and propaganda driven I find Skip and Shannon fairly entertaining. Was backstage politics why Skip left ESPN?


I haven't watched this show personally but I can understand the appeal. I always liked Shannon back in the NFL Gameday days, and Skip is Skip. I can see them having good, entertaining chemistry.

But pretty much anything ESPN puts out now, especially something centered on Stephen A, is almost certain to be absolutely unwatchable trainwreck trash.

[Patrick Chewing]

He don't know $hit about basketball. He don't know $hit about boxing. He don't know shot about football and baseball.

SAS that is.

[DoctorP]

deleteee

[theman93]

Stephen A got him fired? LOL!!

[nineiron]

Would rather spend 30 minutes watching garbage decompose than tune into “ESPN First Take.”

Not that there’s much difference.

that's because you're getting paid to do that as a garbageman.

[bladefd]

Do people still watch espn first take? I used to watch it daily, but I got sick of how terrible the questions and debates were. I stopped watching a few years ago and not watched it since.

[k0kakw0rld]

Stephen A got him fired? LOL!!

Apparently they are trying to create some type of Stephen A vs the World type of show. :biggums:

[MrFonzworth]

Joe Rogan should replace him.

[SATAN]

SAS is a cancerous little rat. He's like a corrupt politician. Anyone who finds this kind of shit entertaining is pathetic:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnCnxA-whqI

All of these kind of programs are garbage.

[MrFonzworth]

SAS is a cancerous little rat. He's like a corrupt politician. Anyone who finds this kind of shit entertaining is pathetic:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnCnxA-whqI

All of these kind of programs are garbage.

Still melting down about this I see

[kawhileonard2]

He don't know $hit about basketball. He don't know $hit about boxing. He don't know shot about football and baseball.

Sure he does.

[LukeWalton]

over time it seemed like SAS was just shitting on whatever Max had to say, even if Max agreed with him.


SAS: Jordan is the best player of all time
Max: I agree
SAS: now here is why you're wrong Max!!

[coin24]

SAS is a racist little grub.. how do people actually watch LESpn

[rawimpact]

I don't think people understand that if you've got two analysts just agreeing with each other, it makes for garbage television.

It's the difference in opinion that makes the show interesting, even if it's not authentic; a scripted position.

That person, being Max who countered SAS was pretty good at it...

[Wally450]

Everyone on that network is hot garbage.

This. Who even watches that garbage?

[jamesmax1991]

Honestly, Stephen A smith is great but comon! Have you guys seen how disrespectful he is sometimes to Max ? Zip it, let me educate you....

I dont know, I just feel Max is undervalued on his show and he is as entertaining as Stephen A Smith in my opinion

[kawhileonard2]

Kendrick Perkins is the worst.

[steezy]

Max sucks as a sports show guy honestly. Smart guy, but just doesn't have the mass appeal for that kind of show. Skip & Shannon basically made the GOAT sports debate show with ESPN First Take a few years back and now every network copies them. Now you have these awkward types like Nick Wright and Max Kellerman.

He'd way better on radio or as a standalone host. Actually knows what he's talking about which is a recipe for disaster for hot take segments. As for SAS, he used to be entertaining but he's over the hill now and just shouts every point as loud as possible.

[beasted]

Max sucks as a sports show guy honestly. Smart guy, but just doesn't have the mass appeal for that kind of show. Skip & Shannon basically made the GOAT sports debate show with ESPN First Take a few years back and now every network copies them. Now you have these awkward types like Nick Wright and Max Kellerman.

He'd way better on radio or as a standalone host. Actually knows what he's talking about which is a recipe for disaster for hot take segments. As for SAS, he used to be entertaining but he's over the hill now and just shouts every point as loud as possible.
Hey just letting you know your mixing it up. Sharpe never worked for ESPN. It was first Skip on ESPN First take and the show blew up when SAS joined him. Then FoxSports paid Skip a boat load to leave ESPN.

But I agree there is less gas bagging on Undisputed.

[BigKobeFan]

He don't know $hit about basketball. He don't know $hit about boxing. He don't know shot about football and baseball.

You dont know shit about a woman's body

[steezy]

Hey just letting you know your mixing it up. Sharpe never worked for ESPN. It was first Skip on ESPN First take and the show blew up when SAS joined him. Then FoxSports paid Skip a boat load to leave ESPN.

But I agree there is less gas bagging on Undisputed.

Yes got it mixed up. SAS and Skip making the GOAT debate show on ESPN. Easily the most entertaining out of any pairing ever.

[bullettooth]

Would rather spend 30 minutes watching garbage decompose than tune into “ESPN First Take.”

Not that there’s much difference.

I think youll enjoy LeBron's remaining years.

[k0kakw0rld]

Yes got it mixed up. SAS and Skip making the GOAT debate show on ESPN. Easily the most entertaining out of any pairing ever.
Both of them are trash, to be honest with you. Skip is always cringing me with his forced hate on current players.

Stephen A Smith is always wrong in his damn predictions but he is getting paid 10 million a year to yell on national television.

I will take Skip-N-Shannon over SAS and skip any day of the week.

[lakerstekkenn]

I remember ESPN mornings shows were Body Shaping with those beautiful girls now it's over the top debates about sports.

Body Shaping :cheers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MNu3Zd78z8

[SATAN]

Yes got it mixed up. SAS and Skip making the GOAT debate show on ESPN. Easily the most entertaining out of any pairing ever.

How is watching two guys pretending to argue and screaming the same thing at each other over and over and over again entertaining?

Speak For Yourself is easily better.

[steezy]

Both of them are trash, to be honest with you. Skip is always cringing me with his forced hate on current players.

Stephen A Smith is always wrong in his damn predictions but he is getting paid 10 million a year to yell on national television.

I will take Skip-N-Shannon over SAS and skip any day of the week.

GOAT as in the influence it had. So many networks copied what ESPN first take did now you have like 5 networks with 3 different sports hot take segments doing the same thing. ESPN has first take and even made a bunch of smaller shows with the exact same idea.