Latest news with #MaxKellerman
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pair of ESPN alums take huge shots at Stephen A. Smith, including wild claim of jealousy toward Max Kellerman
While Stephen A. Smith is the most popular talking head in ESPN history, there are a couple of former colleagues who have zero love for the very wealthy sports analyst. 'I don't respect him,' Michelle Beadle told Front Office Sports. 'I don't respect his work. He doesn't like me. This goes back to the Ray Rice stuff. He made some really piggish comments on the air. I responded. He got suspended for like two weeks. I think that was sort of the beginning of the end for anything. Advertisement 'I just don't respect him, [and] I think he gets things wrong all the time. I'm not talking about opinions. Those can never be wrong. But factually, when you spread yourself so thin, it's hard to be right. Not a fan.' Beadle had two stints with the sports media giant. First, a three-year run from 2009 to 2012. Then she returned in 2014 for another five-year tenure that included hosting Get Up before Mike Greenberg took on the job. Her new comments on Smith come immediately after her SiriusXM show got the boot and is being replaced by a new weekly series from Smith that is part of a massive deal with the satellite radio provider. Yet, Beadle was not the only former ESPN analyst who recently took shots at the 57-year-old. Also Read:: Stephen A. Smith Hilariously Explains Why He Won't Run For President, But Still Plans To Be 'Conduit For Change' Advertisement Stephen A. Smith thought Max Kellerman wasn't white enough? Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images 'I know for a fact that you wanted Max [Kellerman] to be the white guy. You know, talk on the white issues. You needed another Skip Bayless,' Marcellus Wiley said this week on his 'Dat Dude TV' YouYube channel [h/t The Spun]. '… Remember those days back then? When everybody needed to keep the stereotypes alive? We all know what this is, the typecast. You needed a white guy. Problem is, as T.O. told you and told the world, Max is Blacker than you… I do know one thing. Max knew more Black culture than you. And you got mad.' 'How do I know that? I watched. People told me. People who watched told me. That don't mean he's Blacker than you, but you took it that way. Cause that means you got your own insecurities, partner. The other thing is, you wanted to win the debates all the time and be the smartest in the room. Oh, you picked wrong dude. Max is a genius, I am not exaggerating that. This is not hyperbole.' Advertisement The former NFL star spent 11 years with ESPN. Working on various television and radio shows, including First Take. Kellerman was often a debate opponent on many episodes of the popular daily show from 2016 to 2021. However, his role on the series eventually declined. The popular long-time fight sports analyst for the network was a part of a huge round of layoffs by ESPN in 2023. Also Read:: New York Knicks owner shut down Kevin Durant trade talks? Stephen A. Smith offers up 'petty' theory Related Headlines
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith Makes Opinion On Max Kellerman Extremely Clear
Stephen A. Smith Makes Opinion On Max Kellerman Extremely Clear originally appeared on The Spun. In a move that has been applauded by many, former ESPN First Take co-star Max Kellerman has returned to sports media and will return as a boxing analyst for the upcoming Terence Crawford versus Canelo Álvarez fight in September. Advertisement But one person who was at odds with Kellerman prior to his firing from ESPN and subsequent hiatus from working is Stephen A. Smith. So how does Smith feel about Kellerman returning to the fray? On the latest episode of the Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith seemed offended at the idea that he would be upset to see Kellerman back in sports media. He made it clear that he's happy for Kellerman and that the only issue he ever had with Kellerman was that he didn't want to work with him on First Take. 'They said that I was upset that Max Kellerman, my former colleague at ESPN on First Take, I got upset because he's gonna be calling the Terence Crawford and Canelo Álvarez fight in September?' Smith asked. 'They looked at my face and said I was upset.' 'I'm upset about Max Kellerman?' Smith continued. 'I have nothing against Max Kellerman. I didn't want to work with him on First Take anymore. That's all. I didn't think we were good partners for a debate show. If we were doing boxing, if we were doing SportsCenter or something like that, no problem. For a two-hour, daily debate show, I didn't think we worked any longer. That's all. Advertisement 'Never wanted him fired. Never wanted him unemployed. Happy he's back. Cause I don't wish for brothers not to get a check and not to be employed. Because that brother is brilliant and he deserves a check. And oh, by the way, you ain't gonna find anybody that knows more boxing than him. I'm happy for him! Even though his boy will lie his ass off and say otherwise because he gonna get more clicks. Y'all know who the hell it is.' Stephen A. Smith (Stephen Smith) on the ESPN NBA Countdown live set at Intuit Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kellerman was taken off First Take in 2021 and was ousted from ESPN entirely in 2023. He has been out of work for the better part of a year-and-a-half. Kellerman may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but there's little denying his acumen when it comes to boxing. He'll be right at home in his return to boxing coverage in September. Advertisement Related: Stephen A. Smith Believes Max Kellerman Is To Blame For 'First Take' Chemistry Issues Stephen A. Smith Makes Opinion On Max Kellerman Extremely Clear first appeared on The Spun on Jul 1, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Congratulations Are Pouring In For Max Kellerman On Monday
Congratulations Are Pouring In For Max Kellerman On Monday originally appeared on The Spun. Congratulations are pouring in for ex-ESPN host Max Kellerman on Monday, June 23. Kellerman, once one of the leading faces of ESPN, has been out of work for more than a year. He was ousted from his ESPN shows and essentially put on ice, getting paid by the network while not working for anyone else. Kellerman was once a co-host of ESPN's "First Take," though Stephen A. Smith put a stop to that. Advertisement "I walked upstairs and said, 'If is so important to [keep Max on], then give him First Take. I will leave. Two hours later, I got the call he was being removed," Smith said. Kellerman last worked on "First Take" in 2021. For the past 18 months or so, he's been paid $5 million by ESPN to not work. "[Max is] on ice, as they say," his good friend, Brian Kenny, told Awful Announcing's podcast. "He texted me because I reached out to him after that happened. I said, 'That's awful.' And he said, 'Hey, look, I'll get paid for doing nothing. Best job I've ever had.' It's so strange in this era of corporate layoffs that they lay you off, and you can't work, but they'll pay you. You can't do anything while they're paying you." Max Kellerman on But Kellerman is set to make his return. Advertisement The longtime ESPN personality will officially return to sports broadcasting in September. He will be calling the boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford on Sept. 13. The match will be taking place in Las Vegas. "Max Kellerman will officially return to boxing on September 13th as part of the broadcast team for Canelo vs Crawford‼️" Source of Boxing announced. Congratulations are pouring in for the former ESPN host on Monday morning. "Love this for the sport," one fan wrote. "Great pickup for the fight! Max Kellerman is an icon in the sport," one fan added. Advertisement "Welcome back!" one fan added. "Max is greatly missed," one fan added. "What legend, one of the best ever to do it," one fan added. "That's dope! He has been missed," one fan added. LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 02: Broadcaster Max Kellerman stands in the ring after Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeats Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) It'll be fun to see Kellerman back on the air in September. Congratulations Are Pouring In For Max Kellerman On Monday first appeared on The Spun on Jun 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Chicago Tribune
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
ESPN announces ‘Around the Horn' will end its nearly 23-year run in May
BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN's 'Around the Horn' will air its final episode on Friday, May 23, ending a nearly 23-year run. The weekday sports discussion and debate show has been a mainstay at 4 p.m. CST since its debut episode on Nov. 4, 2002. Tony Reali has been the show's main host since 2004. He replaced Max Kellerman, who was the host for the first two years. The show, which has had more than 4,900 episodes, features four panelists — mostly sports columnists — who tried to earn points and avoid being muted by Reali as they gave their opinions on the biggest sports stories of the day. 'Around the Horn has had a remarkable run of more than two decades. That kind of longevity in media is incredibly rare, and we look forward to celebrating the show's many accomplishments before the final sign-off in May,' David Roberts, ESPN's executive vice president and executive editor for sports news end Entertainment, said in a statement. 'Beyond Tony and the ensemble of on-air contributors, we are particularly grateful to the production team led by Erik Rydholm and Aaron Solomon, who have been instrumental in ATH's consistent success since the very beginning.' Woody Paige, who holds the show record for most appearances and wins, said on social media after the announcement, 'My records will never be broken. But my heart is broken.' ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes added: 'The show that gave me the confidence to even believe someone like me could do TV. Will be forever grateful to the producers, and also Tony Reali, who models kindness and intelligence in a way that's all too rare these days. ESPN announced that a 30-minute edition of 'SportsCenter' will air in the 5 p.m. EST weekday spot during the summer. 'Pardon The Interruption,' featuring Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser, has aired at 4:30 p.m. CST since Oct. 22, 2001, but there have been no announcements on its future.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Around the Horn' canceled after 23-year run on ESPN
NEW YORK — ESPN is canceling afternoon sports debate show 'Around the Horn' after a 23-year run. The show, which has broadcast more than 4,900 episodes, will air for the last time on May 23. 'ATH' premiered in November 2002 with host Max Kellerman. Current host Tony Reali took over the reins in 2004 when Kellerman decamped for Fox Sports. ''Around the Horn' has had a remarkable run of more than two decades. That kind of longevity in media is incredibly rare, and we look forward to celebrating the show's many accomplishments before the final sign-off in May,' said David Roberts, ESPN executive VP and executive editor of sports news and entertainment. The show, which airs ahead of 'Pardon the Interruption' and the evening edition of 'SportsCenter,' features Reali moderating a debate between four rotating sportswriters from across the country — making panelists like JA Adande, Jemele Hill, Bomani Jones, Mina Kimes, Jackie MacMullan, Pablo Torre, Woody Paige and many others into household names. Many contributors to the show have gone on to careers at the World Wide Leader in Sports. The network said a half-hour version of 'SportsCenter' will run in the 'ATH' time slot this summer, but did not revealed any other future plans. In recent years, ESPN has announced a number of changes — including a future separation from Major League Baseball — and layoffs of on-air and behind-the-scenes talent, including Zach Lowe, Jeff Van Gundy and Suzy Kolber, as well as several executives.
