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Max Kellerman

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Max Kellerman
Kellerman in 2016
Born(1973-08-06)August 6, 1973(age 51)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materColumbia University(BA)
Years active1989–present
SpouseErin Manning
Children3

Max Kellerman(born August 6, 1973) is an American sports television personality andboxingcommentator. Until his departure fromESPNin June 2023, he was the host ofThis Just In with Max Kellermanand the co-host ofKeyshawn, JWill and MaxonESPN Radio.He previously was a co-host of ESPN talk showFirst TakealongsideStephen A. SmithandMolly Qerim.He also previously was the co-host of the sports radio talk showMax & Marcellus,withMarcellus Wiley,onESPNLA.Kellerman hosted the ESPN panel talk showAround the Hornfrom the show's incarnation in 2002 until 2004 and co-hosted the sports comedy talk showSportsNation,alongside Wiley andMichelle Beadle,from 2013 until 2016. He was also a studio commentator withBrian KennyonFriday Night Fightsand acolor commentatorforHBO World Championship BoxingandBoxing After Dark.

Career

Sports broadcasting

Kellerman's first broadcasting experience was as a teenager on a New York Citypublic-access televisioncable TV program on professional boxing calledMax on Boxing.Given the medium, the show was quite simple but nevertheless caught the attention of the boxing community, including a youngMike Tyson.

In the late 1990s after graduating fromColumbia Universitywith a degree in history, Kellerman was hired as an analyst onESPN's boxing seriesFriday Night Fightswhere he met future radio partner Brian Kenny. In November 2002 he was given his own show and, influenced byPardon the Interruption,became the architect and original host of ESPN'sAround the Horn.While the show was incredibly popular, Kellerman and ESPN could not reach an agreement for him to remain with the network, and Kellerman left the network in early 2004 to host a new show calledI, MaxonFox Sports Net.He would discuss sports news withMichael Holley,formerAround the Hornpanelist, andBill Wolff.

Max took time off from the show after the death of his brother. He later returned, but despite his show garnering the network's highest ratings for a period of time, it was canceled by Fox. The lastI, Maxshow aired on February 18, 2005. Max also was the co-host ofSpike TV's 2006 series,King of Vegas.

In 2005,Tucker Carlsonannounced that Kellerman would be a permanent contributor on hisMSNBCshowTucker.On a segment of the show called "The Outsider", Kellerman generally took the position selected by Carlson. Frequently, Carlson introduced Kellerman with a bio containing a humorously enthusiastic compliment. The show was canceled in March 2008.

Starting in the week of August 21, 2006, Kellerman did at least two nights of audition shows at 7 pm forWEPN(1050), aESPN Radiostation in New York City, hosting one night withSid Rosenberg.On August 28, 2006, it was announced that Brandon Tierney would be taking over at 7 pm, which temporarily left Kellerman without a timeslot. On October 23, 2006, Max began hosting the 10 am to noon program on WEPN, replacing ESPN's nationally broadcastColin Cowherdprogram.

In September 2007, Kellerman began hosting a third hour, extending the show to 1 pm. Two months later,ESPNEWSandSportsCenterhost Brian Kenny joined the show as co-host. On February 4, 2008, the show was added toXM RadioonESPN Xtra.In the fall of 2008, Kenny left the radio program to attend to his SportsCenter duties and the program was again namedThe Max Kellerman Show.

Kellerman and ESPN Radio mutually ended their relationship on March 9, 2009. Evening host Brandon Tierney temporarily filled in Kellerman, and Colin Cowherd took his timeslot.[1][2]

Kellerman continued his boxing broadcast work atHBO.He was originally hired for the network'sBoxing After Darktelecasts, working alongsideFran CharlesandLennox Lewis.In 2007, Kellerman moved up to theHBO World Championship Boxingmain team alongsideJim Lampley,Harold Lederman,and a rotating guest analyst, usuallyRoy Jones Jr.or the lateEmanuel Steward.

On May 12, 2010, it was announced Kellerman had been hired byCNN:"Kellerman will weigh in on sports and pop culture issues onCNN American Morningand other programs. He has previously served as a contributor to MSNBC. "[3]

Kellerman was announced in December 2010 as the new midday host at ESPN Radio Los Angeles stationKSPN(710), alongside former NFL player co-hostMarcellus Wiley,replacing LA Sports Live with Andrew Siciliano and former NBA player Mychal Thompson. Program director Mike Thompson (no relation to Mychal Thompson), who hired Kellerman, had worked with Kellerman at WEPN.[4]

In May 2015, Kellerman covered theFloyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiaoboxing match forHBO.[5]He received criticism online for his post-match interview withManny Pacquiao.[6]

The Guardianstated that his line of questioning was, "interpreted as patronizing" as his wording to Pacquiao was "You thought you won today, Why?" However, Kellerman retorted that he "had to ask him" about his disagreement with the judges' adjudication.[7] Kellerman has replacedSkip BaylessonESPN'sFirst Takeas co-analyst alongsideStephen A. Smithand hostMolly Qerim,effective July 25, 2016.[8]

Kellerman (right) at ESPNFirst Take,2018

With HBO leaving the boxing business at the end of 2018, Kellerman signed a multiyear contract with ESPN which greatly expanded his role in the network's boxing coverage. However, in contrast to his color-commentary role with HBO, for ESPN he presided over network coverage from the broadcast desk rather than at ringside.[9]

Kellerman departed fromFirst Takein September 2021.[10]Smith has discussed this, detailing that he believed he and Kellerman's chemistry was not conducive for the long-term success ofFirst Take;due to this, Smith requested Kellerman be dismissed from the show.[11]Kellerman was let go from ESPN in June 2023.[12]

Acting

Kellerman made a brief appearance in the 2006 filmRocky Balboaalongside Lampley and Merchant, who served as the broadcast team for the fight between Rocky and Mason "The Line" Dixon. He would also make an appearance in the 2015 filmCreed,as the reporter interviewingDonnie Creedat the conclusion of his fight with "Pretty" Ricky Conlan. Kellerman played himself in the short filmThe Wedding Bout.[13]

Kellerman played himself inReal Husbands of Hollywood.[14]

Personal life

Kellerman was born inThe Bronx,and grew up in theGreenwich Villagearea of New York City. He graduated from New York City'sPS 41in Greenwich Village,Hunter College High Schoolin 1991 and, later,Columbia Universityin 1998.

His younger brother Sam was a freelance writer who also covered professional boxing.[15]In 2004, Sam's body was found inside his apartment in Los Angeles. As a result of the ensuing investigation, former boxerJames Butlerwas arrested and charged with Sam's murder. He later confessed to voluntary manslaughter and arson and was given a 29-year sentence.[15]

Kellerman and his wife have three daughters.[16]

Kellerman pointed out onTuckerthat "Max" is not short for anything, and that he does not have amiddle name.He is active inJewishcultural activities and, according toThe Forwardand theYiddish Book Center,speaksYiddish.[17]Ahip hopfan, evidenced by his intro music on his ESPN Radio show, Kellerman's favorite artists include theWu-Tang Clan,having stated on his radio show thatRaekwon'sOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx...is one of his favorite albums. He was a member of a hip-hop group with his brother Sam, under the name "Max and Sam". They were signed under Columbia Records in 1994 and recorded a music video titled "Young Man Rumble".

Kellerman has a small permanent scar on the left side of his mouth from a childhood accident with an electrical outlet.[18]

Kellerman is a fan of theNew York GiantsandNew York Yankees.[19][20]

References

  1. ^Bob Raissman,"Max Kellerman leaving ESPN-1050; is pairing with Francesa in the works?"in theNew York Daily News,March 10, 2009.
  2. ^Neil Best,"Kellerman leaves ESPN; will he team with Francesa?"inNewsday,March 10, 2009.
  3. ^Weprin, Alex (May 12, 2010)."Max Kellerman Joins CNN – TVNewser".Mediabistro.com.RetrievedSeptember 18,2011.
  4. ^"Max Kellerman Joins 710 ESPN/L.A. For Middays".AllAccess.com. December 22, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 18,2011.
  5. ^"Reporter hit for 'disrespectful' interview with Pacquiao".ABS-CBN Corporation.May 3, 2015.RetrievedMay 3,2015.
  6. ^"Interviewer Max Kellerman retorts: I love Manny".The Philippine Star.May 3, 2015.RetrievedMay 3,2015.[dead link]
  7. ^Gayle, Damien (May 3, 2015)."Boxing fans round on TV host after Manny Pacquiao interview".The Guardian.RetrievedMay 3,2015.
  8. ^Duckworth, Claire (July 11, 2016)."Max Kellerman Joins ESPN2's First Take July 25 – ESPN MediaZone".ESPN MediaZone.RetrievedJanuary 21,2020.
  9. ^Guthrie, Marisa (December 8, 2018)."'First Take' Host Max Kellerman Signs New Deal With ESPN ".Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJanuary 20,2020.
  10. ^First Take bids farewell to Max Kellerman on his final show.First Take.ESPN.September 1, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023– viaYouTube.
  11. ^Traina, Jimmy (September 15, 2023)."Stephen A. Smith on Max Kellerman: 'I Didn't Like Working With Him,' Says They Haven't Spoken".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023.
  12. ^Hayes, Dade (June 30, 2023)."ESPN Cuts About 20 On-Air Personalities, Including Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose, Max Kellerman And Keyshawn Johnson".Deadline.
  13. ^"The Wedding Bout".YouTube. August 15, 2007.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 18,2011.
  14. ^Maglio, Tony (July 11, 2016)."Meet Max Kellerman: 9 Things to Know About Skip Bayless' Replacement (Photos)".TheWrap.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023.
  15. ^ab"Boxer pleads guilty to death of sportswriter Kellerman".ESPN.com.March 27, 2006.RetrievedJuly 22,2023.
  16. ^"Max Kellerman – Max Kellerman was born on August 6th 1973 and is b".Livetvcenter.com.RetrievedJuly 8,2016.
  17. ^"Max Kellerman – Yiddish Book Center".www.yiddishbookcenter.org.
  18. ^Smith, Gary. "Blood Relations".Sports Illustrated,April 17, 2006 (Volume 104, No. 16), p. 58
  19. ^'It is punishing to be a Giants fan right now' – Max Kellerman | KJM,retrievedJanuary 11,2022
  20. ^'Are you going to be THAT guy?' Jeff Passan challenges Yankees fan Max Kellerman | First Take,retrievedJanuary 11,2022
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