Former ESPN commentator Max Kellerman opened up about his departure from the network and his five-year partnership with Stephen A. Smith on “First Take,” offering candid insights into the pressures of daily sports debate television.
In a recent interview on “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Kellerman said he wasn’t bothered by being unable to discuss his exit while others talked about it publicly.
Advertisement
“That doesn’t bother me at all,” Kellerman said, via YouTube. “But I was very flattered that, you know, because if you go off the air, you’re not sure that the sports world would care, right? But people seemed to care.”
Kellerman, who worked alongside Smith for five years, described a professional relationship that differed from his other broadcast partnerships.
“Stephen A. was the one partner I’ve ever had over the years where I didn’t feel like a relationship was really forming,” he said.
He noted that while there were on-air tensions, he maintained that “a cardinal sin is betraying that on the air. You should always be thinking about making the show entertaining.”
Advertisement
He explained the show’s dynamic required him to present counterintuitive viewpoints consistently.
“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.”
The former host suggested competitive factors may have influenced 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 said, comparing the daily grind to sparring with boxing champion Bud Crawford for 15 rounds every day.
Advertisement
Kellerman also revealed he had been planned to partner with legendary radio host Mike Francesa after initially leaving ESPN, but that opportunity dissolved.
“I was supposed to go over and work with Mike,” he said, explaining that Francesa likely decided against taking a partner once he realized the network wouldn’t require it.
The commentator discussed ESPN’s editorial approach, including pressure to lead coverage with major market teams.
“They’re telling you Cowboys, Lakers, Knicks, Yankees, like it’s all the big teams,” he said, noting this was “for good reason” because “you fish where the fish are.”
Advertisement
Despite the challenges, the commentator said he prefers working with partners.
“I don’t need a partner either, but I like having one because I find conversations more interesting than just talking into the wind,” he said, noting he became good friends with previous broadcast partners, including Brian Kenny, Jim Lampley, and Marcellus Wiley.
More New Jersey news
Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
