Stephen A. Smith is now telling the whole truth and confirming rumors that he wanted Max Kellerman off ‘First Take.’
Recently, “First Take” announced the departure of Max, signaling their first major crew change since Skip Bayless left in 2016.
While speaking with Hot 97 radio show, the head honcho at ESPN spoke his mind on why he wanted Kellerman gone.
“The rumor’s accurate in terms of me wanting him off the show. Let’s get that out the way. Yes, I did,” Smith said while speaking to Ebro Darden and Peter Rosenberg on Hot 97. “We don’t have a bad relationship. I think he’s a real good guy. I appreciate what he did for the show. We were number one for five years, we stayed number one, and I appreciate that.
Smith continued, “It wasn’t really about asking him to be off the show, it was about the fact that I knew that we, together, as far as I was concerned, was not a great partnership anymore and that was something that needed to change.”
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ESPN announced Kellerman’s departure from the popular show last month.
“Kellerman will host a new ESPN television series (more details to follow), after serving on ESPN’s popular First Take program alongside Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim Rose since July 2016,” ESPN said in a statement at the time. “More information on the new Kellerman show and on First Take’s updated format will be announced soon. Kellerman will also continue to host his weekly boxing show, Max on Boxing on ESPN2.”
As of right now, instead of replacing Kellerman, the Worldwide leader in Sports has opted to have a rotating chair of faces to come in and debate Smith.
