ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has addressed the recent departure of co-host Max Kellerman from the network's First Take show.
During a recent media appearance, Smith confirmed that he felt it was time for a change, and said he was lacking on-air chemistry with his former co-host of five years.
Smith, appearing on Hot 97's Ebro in the Morning, said Kellerman was a "good guy" but a shakeup was in order.
“The rumor’s accurate in terms of me wanting him off the show. Let’s get that out the way — yes, I did,” Stephen A. said. “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.”
ESPN never officially offered a reason for Kellerman's exit, but it was previously reported that Smith played a role in the move.
"It wasn’t really about asking him to be off the show," Smith said during the radio appearance. "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.”
Kellerman signed off from First Take late last month. During his final appearance, Smith was not on-set while recovering from surgery, but called in to thank Kellerman for his contributions to the show and wish him the best.
The show was featuring a rotating cast of co-hosts rather than settling on a single replacement for Kellerman.
The network later announced Kellerman would be getting his own show, called This Just In and set to debut on Sept. 14. Meanwhile the veteran host's debut appearance on ESPN Radio's flagship morning program turned heads over some botched production.
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