Former ESPN commentator Max Kellerman has offered new details about his departure from the network and his dynamic with Stephen A. Smith on the debate show “First Take.”
Speaking on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Kellerman said he wasn’t bothered by the public discussion surrounding his exit and was “flattered” that sports fans seemed to care.
He described his five-year professional relationship with Smith as distinct from his other broadcast partnerships. “Stephen A. was the one partner I’ve ever had over the years where I didn’t feel like a relationship was really forming,” he said.
Kellerman elaborated on the show’s structure, explaining that his role was to present counterintuitive arguments for Smith to challenge. “Stephen A. has no hot takes,” Kellerman stated. “His job is to be the big reactor to a counterintuitive conclusion.” He added that despite any on-air tension, it was a “cardinal sin” to let personal feelings compromise the show’s entertainment value.
Suggesting that the competitive nature of the show may have contributed to the partnership’s end, Kellerman compared the daily debate to “sparring with boxing champion Bud Crawford for 15 rounds every day.”
He also commented on ESPN’s editorial approach, noting there was pressure to lead coverage with major market teams like the Cowboys, Lakers, and Yankees. He acknowledged the business sense behind this strategy, saying, “You fish where the fish are.”
Kellerman also revealed that a planned partnership with legendary radio host Mike Francesa fell through after his initial departure from ESPN. He speculated that Francesa decided against a co-host once he realized the network would not require it.
Despite the challenges on “First Take,” Kellerman affirmed his preference for working with a partner. “I find conversations more interesting than just talking into the wind,” he remarked, noting he became good friends with previous co-hosts like Brian Kenny, Jim Lampley, and Marcellus Wiley.
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