Did Stephen A. Smith want Max Kellerman gone? A Tale of Two Sports Commentators and a Whole Lot of Drama
Remember that time you and your best friend had that epic falling out over who had the better Spotify playlist? Yeah, that’s nothing compared to the drama that unfolded between Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman, the former dynamic duo of ESPN’s First Take.
It’s no secret that Stephen A. Smith, the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Famous Sports Analyst,” wanted Max Kellerman off the show. He even admitted it, although he tried to sugarcoat it a bit.
“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,” he said.
Oh, Stephen A., you sly dog. You didn’t want him “off the show,” you wanted him “off the airwaves” altogether.
But why? Why did the king of hot takes and the man who could dissect a boxing match like a surgeon, decide to go their separate ways?
Well, let’s dive into the saga.
The Rise and Fall of a Sports Commentator Duo
Max Kellerman, the former boxing analyst and sports journalist, joined First Take in 2015. He was brought in to challenge Stephen A. Smith’s dominance, to provide an opposing viewpoint and add a different perspective.
And for a while, it worked. The duo became a ratings juggernaut, known for their fiery debates and clashing personalities. First Take became the go-to destination for sports fans who wanted to hear hot takes and see two personalities go head-to-head.
But as time went on, the chemistry seemed to fade. The dynamic between the two became more strained, and the debates started to feel more like forced arguments than genuine disagreements.
Stephen A. Smith, the alpha dog of sports commentary, felt that Max Kellerman wasn’t playing his role. He believed Kellerman wasn’t giving him the necessary fire, the necessary pushback to keep the show engaging.
“Max is gone because Max wouldn’t play his role,” Marcellus Wiley, a former NFL player and current ESPN commentator, revealed.
And that’s when things took a turn for the worse.
The Ultimatum and the Demise of a Sports Powerhouse
Stephen A. Smith, feeling threatened by Max Kellerman’s lackluster performance, apparently went to the higher-ups at ESPN and gave them an ultimatum: Max Kellerman needs to go, or I’m out.
That’s right. The man who built his career on hot takes, threw his own hot take at his bosses.
And it seems like the ESPN executives caved. They decided to let Max Kellerman go, likely to appease their golden goose, Stephen A. Smith.
Now, let’s be clear, this is all speculation based on what we’ve heard from insiders and the commentators themselves. ESPN has never officially confirmed this, and Stephen A. Smith has never explicitly admitted to giving an ultimatum.
But the facts speak for themselves. After years of being a fixture on First Take, Max Kellerman was let go in the summer of 2021. He was gone, and Stephen A. Smith was still there, ruling the airwaves with his signature bravado.
Stephen A. Smith on Max Kellerman: A Tale of Two Sides
Stephen A. Smith, in a series of interviews, has claimed that he didn’t want to work with Max Kellerman anymore. But when pressed for reasons, he usually offers vague answers like “chemistry issues” and “not a great partnership.”
It’s like he’s trying to avoid the elephant (or should we say, the gorilla) in the room.
But there’s no denying that Stephen A. Smith has a history of being a bit of a control freak. He’s known for being demanding, opinionated, and not afraid to push his agenda.
And when it comes to his co-hosts, he’s known for being a bit… demanding.
So, it’s not hard to see how a clash of personalities could have led to a rift between the two.
Max Kellerman, on the other hand, has been rather quiet about the whole situation. He hasn’t publicly commented on why he was let go, and he hasn’t gone after Stephen A. Smith in the media.
Perhaps he’s taking the high road, or maybe he’s just tired of the drama. Whatever the reason, Max Kellerman has maintained a professional demeanor throughout the whole ordeal.
The Aftermath: A Legacy of Drama and a Question of Ethics
The fallout from the Stephen A. Smith – Max Kellerman saga has been long and drawn-out.
There’s no doubt that the incident has raised questions about the ethics of sports commentary and the power dynamics that exist behind the scenes.
Is it okay for a commentator to demand the removal of a colleague just because they don’t like working with them?
Is it okay for a network to give in to an ultimatum from a popular personality, even if it means sacrificing a talented and respected commentator?
These are questions that ESPN and the sports media world will have to grapple with in the years to come.
The Future of Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman: A New Chapter?
Stephen A. Smith continues to be a major force in sports commentary, and First Take remains a ratings behemoth.
Max Kellerman has moved on to other projects, including a podcast and a new show on ESPN+.
It’s unlikely that the two will ever collaborate again, but it’s not entirely impossible.
The sports media world is a fickle beast, and things can change in an instant.
But one thing is for sure: the story of Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman is a cautionary tale about the power dynamics, rivalries, and drama that can unfold in the world of sports commentary.
Just remember, the next time you hear a hot take on your favorite sports show, take a moment to consider the forces at play behind the scenes.
You never know, there might be a whole lot more drama going on than you realize.
