In a candid revelation, veteran sports analyst Max Kellerman has detailed the reasons behind his controversial departure from ESPN's flagship debate program, First Take. Kellerman, who co-hosted the show alongside Stephen A. Smith for five years, believes the move was driven by Smith's desire to be perceived as a "solo act" to command a higher salary.
The Core of the Conflict: Control and Compensation
Speaking on the Bill Simmons podcast on December 2, 2025, Kellerman shed light on the dynamics that led to his exit in 2021. He suggested that Smith, a dominant personality in sports media, aimed for greater control over the show's direction. "If you can be seen as a solo act, you can get paid more. So, you'd want to be viewed that way," Kellerman explained, pinpointing financial and branding motives behind the split.
Reflecting on their professional relationship from 2016 to 2021, Kellerman admitted a genuine bond never formed. "He was the one partner I've ever had where I didn't feel like a relationship was forming," he stated, highlighting a fundamental lack of chemistry that plagued their on-air partnership.
Stephen A. Smith's Repeated Admissions
Kellerman's comments align with Smith's own past admissions. The rumors that Smith orchestrated the co-host's removal were confirmed by Smith himself during a September 2021 interview on Hot 97. "Yes, I did want him off the show. We just didn't have a great partnership anymore. It needed to change," Smith said.
Smith revisited the topic multiple times, taking increasing responsibility. In 2023, on The Joe Budden Podcast, he claimed the show had grown "stale" and he acted to prevent it from losing its number-one spot in sports talk. Later, in 2024 on Cris Carter's Fully Loaded Podcast, Smith cited poor "chemistry" as the core issue, calling it "mostly my fault" as the show's leader. "I wasn't blaming Max," Smith clarified, adding, "But the proof is in how I've connected with others since he left."
First Take's Evolution Continues
The show has continued to evolve post-Kellerman's departure. In a significant hosting change, ESPN announced in October 2025 that Shae Cornette would replace Molly Qerim. According to reports, Cornette's debut alongside Stephen A. Smith aired on November 3, 2025, marking the latest chapter for the ever-changing program.
The saga underscores the high-stakes world of sports television, where chemistry, control, and financial considerations often collide, reshaping popular shows and their line-ups for years to come.
