Key Takeaways:
- Max Kellerman recently opened up about his departure from ESPN’s “First Take” and his five-year on-air partnership with Stephen A. Smith.
- He described their relationship as strictly professional, noting it was the only broadcast partnership where a personal friendship didn’t form.
- Kellerman explained the show’s dynamic, where his role was to provide “counterintuitive” takes for Smith, whom he called the “big reactor,” to debate.
- He also touched on the competitive nature of the show and a planned, but ultimately canceled, project with radio host Mike Francesa.
Former ESPN personality Max Kellerman has pulled back the curtain on his five-year tenure on “First Take,” offering a candid look into his professional relationship with co-host Stephen A. Smith and the pressures of daily sports debate.
Speaking on a recent episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Kellerman addressed his departure from the popular morning show, a topic that generated significant discussion among sports fans. “If you go off the air, you’re not sure that the sports world would care, right? But people seemed to care,” he noted, admitting he was flattered by the public’s interest.
A Partnership Without Friendship
While Kellerman has formed close bonds with other on-air partners like Marcellus Wiley and Brian Kenny, he revealed his dynamic with Smith was different.
“Stephen A. was the one partner I’ve ever had over the years where I didn’t feel like a relationship was really forming,” Kellerman explained. He stressed the importance of maintaining on-air professionalism, stating that a “cardinal sin is betraying that on the air. You should always be thinking about making the show entertaining.”
The ‘Big Reactor’ Dynamic
Kellerman shed light on the specific roles he and Smith played to create compelling television. He described his job as presenting arguments that went against the grain to generate debate.
“Stephen A. has no hot takes. Stephen A almost never, I can’t think of any counterintuitive conclusions that he ever reaches,” Kellerman said. “His job is to be the big reactor to a counterintuitive conclusion.”
This high-stakes dynamic, he suggested, may have contributed to the partnership’s end. “If you’re doing a debate show and you’re a competitive person, why would you want me as a partner?” he mused, comparing the daily debates to “sparring with Bud Crawford for 15 rounds every day.”
Life After ‘First Take’
Kellerman also revealed a potential career move that never materialized. After leaving ESPN, he was slated to partner with legendary sports radio host Mike Francesa, but the plan dissolved.
Reflecting on his time at the network, he also mentioned the editorial pressure to focus on major market teams like the Cowboys, Lakers, and Yankees. He understood the reasoning, saying, “you fish where the fish are.” Despite the challenges, Kellerman affirmed his preference for collaborative broadcasting. “I like having [a partner] because I find conversations more interesting than just talking into the wind,” he said.
Image Referance: https://www.nj.com/sports/2025/12/former-espn-host-opens-up-about-sour-relationship-with-big-reactor-stephen-a-smith.html