It appears that a shake-up may be imminent on ESPN's most controversial show.
Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reports that Max Kellerman could soon depart from "First Take," in favor of "more extended duty on TV and ESPN Radio." McCarthy cautioned that a decision for Kellerman to use his talents on other platforms isn't a done deal, but suggests that if that ultimately transpires, Stephen A. Smith will have a rotating panel of guests that he will "Embrace Debate" against, rather than one consistent co-host.
Kellerman became a regular on First Take in July of 2016, when Skip Bayless bolted the four-letter network to launch "Undisputed" with Shannon Sharpe on FS1.
The show's heyday came when Smith and Bayless were paired together from April of 2012 until Bayless' departure. Andrew Marchand of The New York Post reported in March that ESPN attempted to lure Bayless back to Bristol, with the plan being for him to host a daily show on ESPN+ with Smith, among other responsibilities. Ultimately, Bayless elected to sign a four-year/$32 million deal to remain with FS1.
Despite some of the shuffling around him, there's no indication that Smith -- who signed a five-year/$60 million contract extension with ESPN in 2019 -- will be leaving First Take anytime soon.
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