Overview
- Speaking on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Kellerman argued Smith did not want to trade high-level arguments with him every day, quipping that going 15 rounds with “Muhammad Kellerman” became untenable.
- Kellerman characterized Smith as a theatrical reactor rather than a generator of counterintuitive opinions, saying Smith has “no hot takes” by design.
- After Kellerman’s 2021 removal, First Take moved to a rotating cast opposite Smith, a setup Kellerman linked to positioning Smith as a perceived solo act tied to higher compensation.
- Coverage noted Smith’s status as the show’s centerpiece and his reported five-year, roughly $100 million ESPN deal, while Kellerman was laid off in 2023 with reports he faced a non-compete.
- Former colleagues including Marcellus Wiley and Michelle Beadle publicly backed Kellerman’s account, praising his on-air rigor and criticizing Smith’s handling of the partnership.