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Max Kellerman being removed from First Take

doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

A report has surfaced that ESPN is going to remove Max Kellerman from First Take.

Report: ESPN to move Max Kellerman off 'First Take,' leaving Stephen A. Smith solo

Max Kellerman’s time alongside Stephen A. Smith is apparently coming to an end.

ESPN is expected to remove Kellerman from “First Take” in the near future, according to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy.

ESPN declined to comment, and it’s unclear when such a move could officially happen.

While nothing is reportedly finalized yet, Kellerman’s spot on the show isn’t expected to be filled. Instead, Smith will be alone with Molly Qerim Rose while other ESPN reporters, hosts and other guests make appearances.

Kellerman has been on “First Take” for almost five years, as he replaced Skip Bayless in 2016 when Bayless left for Fox Sports — where he now hosts a similar show with Shannon Sharpe.

Kellerman, however, is “still expected to play a very prominent role” with ESPN. He currently hosts the “Max Kellerman Show” on ESPN Radio and has a boxing show on ESPN2. He’s hosted plenty of other shows across ESPN platforms throughout his time with the network, and was the original host of “Around the Horn.”

Per Front Office Sports, Kellerman could also join ESPN’s morning radio show, “Keyshawn, JWill & Zubin.” Zubin Mehenti has missed significant time from the show this year due to health issues.

Smith, perhaps the most recognizable face at ESPN, reached a massive five-year contract extension with the network in 2019 that reportedly pays him about $8 million each year. The deal made him the highest-paid ESPN sportscaster, surpassing Mike Greenberg’s reported $6.5 million per year deal.

Comments

  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 30,638 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good because he is a complete weirdo idiot

  • doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I honestly can't remember the last time I watched ESPN, it was probably in the early 2010s, but I do stumble across footage of Kellerman's comments from time to time, and he is an idiot. He's the one who criticizes Tom Brady all of the time, so that just shows you how stupid he is.

  • 2dueces2dueces Posts: 6,447 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I couldn’t stand Steven Smith in his early years but I am told he has mellowed. Regardless I’ve never watched any ESPN programs since they decided to take opinions on subjects other than sports. So sad the downfall of a show that transcended sports. If Chris Berman was dead he’d be turning over in his grave.

    W.C.Fields
    "I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 19, 2021 5:38AM

    why waste your time watching that network?? I don't even go there for highlights much less any commentary.

  • doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 19, 2021 7:39AM

    I've also seen footage of Stephen A. Smith, and I can't stand the way he rambles on and on with that annoying voice, and he looks ridiculous when he puts on that cowboy hat and cigar and has that stupid grin on his face.

  • erikthredderikthredd Posts: 9,006 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Noooo, how will I know when Tom Brady falls of that cliff if Max isn’t there to remind us he predicted it back in 1983?

  • 1951WheatiesPremium1951WheatiesPremium Posts: 6,363 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Steven A Smith and Ludacris might just be the same person. When he’s looking young and skinny he Luda. When he puts on a few…

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  • Steven59Steven59 Posts: 8,684 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Clown - he's the main reason I can't stand to watch First Take.

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 30,638 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @doubledragon said:
    I've also seen footage of Stephen A. Smith, and I can't stand the way he rambles on and on with that annoying voice, and he looks ridiculous when he puts on that cowboy hat and cigar and has that stupid grin on his face.

    😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • bronco2078bronco2078 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Its hard to stay made at anyone who twins Luda . ;)

  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 7,840 ✭✭✭✭✭

    stephen a doesn't have 1/10th of the talent that luda does

    you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet

  • This is a good thing. Because he doesn't know squat about sports. When he first started out.... Lol he was an inspiring rapper 😆

  • doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'm just happy we answered the most important question here.

    Q: Max Kellerman, clown or legit?

    A: Clown

  • Steven59Steven59 Posts: 8,684 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @doubledragon said:
    { and has that stupid grin on his face.}

    Well I don't like him either but I'd be having a stupid grin on my face too if I made 12 Mil a year from ESPN

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • craig44craig44 Posts: 11,244 ✭✭✭✭✭

    he wont be missed by me

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • AhmanfanAhmanfan Posts: 4,389 ✭✭✭✭

    Guess I'm a contrarian but I like Max, I think he has more level-headed opinions than SAS. I always liked his takes when it came to combat sports/boxing. However, I can see his left leaning opinions finally forcing ESPN's hand as he is probably alienating a large portion of the viewership, so I get it.

    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
  • bobbybakerivbobbybakeriv Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭

    That is really disturbing to me...

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