When Shannon Sharpe jumped ship from FS1 to First Take on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith went out of his way to underline Skip's disrespect as a primary reason for the exit. In doing so, it was almost as if he had forgotten how disrespectful he behaved towards his former co-host, Max Kellerman. In addition to the constant eye-rolls and berating remarks, Max was practically bullied on the air by Stephen A., who seemed to encourage the show's contributors like Kendrick Perkins and Dan Orlovsky to join in.
Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman have been the center of attention recently, and Marcellus Wiley has weighed in on the matter, detailing how Stephen A. treated Max the same way that he alleged Shannon had been treated on Undisputed. In a recent episode of his show, Never Shut Up, Wiley expressed his thoughts on the Stephen A. vs. Max debate.
Wiley shares that he was there when Max received the phone call to join Stephen A. on First Take. He expresses his support for Max and the opportunity that the show presents for him.
Wiley goes on to discuss the dynamics between Stephen A. and Max, sharing his insights on the relationship. He believes that Stephen A. wanted Max on the show because of his intelligence and ability to speak on a variety of topics. However, Wiley highlights the clash that occurred when Max's views on societal and black issues outshined Stephen A.
Wiley concludes by explaining that Max's refusal to back down on these issues created tension between the two hosts.
Source: Youtube
