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With a salary that stretches to eight figures, what Stephen A. Smith wants, Stephen A. Smith gets.
He wanted former “First Take” host Max Kellerman to quit the show, and that’s exactly what happened. Smith explained his thought process during an appearance on the New York City morning radio show “Ebro in the Morning.”
“The rumors are right about me wanting him out of the show. Let’s put that aside,” Smith said.
Smith maintained that the two had a good relationship and that he loved Kellerman. Their on-air chemistry had weakened, he explained.
“Sometimes it stalls,” Smith said. “And the audience is letting you know that’s what it is, and you feel the need for something fresh, you feel the need to retool yourself.… It’s not like I want the guy to be. laid off or something. I knew there were landing points available for him on that network that would generate as much, if not more, income for him and all that other stuff. It wasn’t really about asking her not to be on the show. the fact that we, together, as far as I’m concerned, was no longer a good partnership, and that was something that had to change. “
Kellerman is now taking a bigger role in ESPN radio programming, co-hosting Morning Driving Time with Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams. Its new sports variety show, which will air for an hour (2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET) Monday through Friday, will debut on September 14.
In a January interview with USA TODAY Sports, Smith called the duo – who worked together for five years – a “work in progress.”
“Max is one of those guys who wants to convince you to see the mistake of your ways. It’s important to him that you are on his side. So a lot of time is spent trying to convince you just how bad he is. is knowledgeable, as opposed to just taking his side and saying, ‘The rest of the world can kiss my you-know-what,’ “Smith said at the time. “I’m the type of person who thinks, ‘This is how I feel and unless you prove me wrong, I don’t care how you feel.’ That’s the difference between him and me, and that’s what makes it difficult sometimes, that’s the only thing. “
Smith will now be debating an assembly line of ESPN personalities on “First Take,” including Michael Irvin and Tim Tebow. Molly Qerim Rose remains the moderator.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Stephen A. Smith Wanted Max Kellerman to Leave ESPN’s “First Take”
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