ESPN Talk Show Host Leaving ‘First Take,’ Being Moved To Other Shows

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith could be reigning supreme soon with reports that host Max Kellerman may be leaving ESPN’s “First Take” soon.

The 48-year-old is allegedly set to be removed although the reason is meant for something else. Kellerman is reportedly headed to ESPN’s morning radio shows where he will team up with Keyshawn Johnson per sources.

Once made official, Kellerman would likely be taking the place of Zubin Mehenti. There is also no word on whether Jay Williams would be staying. An official announcement on the changes is expected to be released next month.

Aside from that, Kellerman could also find himself in an afternoon TV show. ESPN runs “Jalen & Jacoby” and “Highly Questionable” in the afternoon from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. There is a chance that the two shows may be moved to ESPN2.

Should Kellerman’s exit be made official, there also remains no word on who could potentially replace him. A potential rotation of other personalities may appear each morning from another ESPN show. Molly Qerim is someone who could potentially fill in the void although Smith is undoubtedly the main star of the show from hereon.

Smith signed a five-year, $60 million deal with ESPN in 2019 and has been disenchanted with Kellerman. Aside from that, there were already warning signs that ESPN was planning to make changes.

A year ago, ESPN made a run at Skip Bayless, already an indicator that Kellerman’s days would be numbered.

Looking at it differently, the move on Kellerman is believed to be part of a shakeup of the morning show. Johnson teamed up with Williams and Mehenti but the latter has been out for much of the year due to complications in diabetes.

Alan Hahn filled in for Mehenti and was a potential replacement on a full-time basis. But with Kellerman now in the mix, it appears the TV personality has the inside track to be the leading candidate for the show. All this should be made official once he is officially taken out of “First Take.”