ESPN's Stephen A. Smith yesterday in a Facebook Live video declared "First Take" is "his show" as he "buried the ghost" of former colleague Skip Bayless, while also praising him, according to Michael McCarthy of SPORTING NEWS. Smith "graciously praised Bayless as a friend and colleague," but noted that in his mind, "First Take" was "always Bayless' show." "First Take" today returns with Smith now paired with Max Kellerman, and Smith said of Bayless, "He’s gone. It's my reign now. With Max. With Molly [Qerim]. And we're not going to hesitate to bring it." Smith "promised to do away with the hobby horses that Bayless rode for years." He said, "You ain’t going to hear about LeBron (James) every day. You ain't going to hear about Johnny Manziel every day. You ain't going to hear about Tim Tebow every day." He added that with Kellerman being a boxing expert, "look for more boxing debates on the show" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 7/24). In N.Y., Bob Raissman asked, "Who is going to be the man -- the lead dog, the big dog -- on ESPN’s 'First Take?'" The answer "will become apparent" as Smith will "come out with mouth swinging." Raissman: "Unless some ESPN suit has already advised Kellerman, 'First Take' is indeed Smith’s show now" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/24). See the full Facebook Live video.
MARK YOUR TERRITORY: ESPN Radio's “Mike & Mike” promoted Kellerman's debut this morning, with Mike Golic asking, "If you're going on a show where someone has been doing it for years, that first show, are you kind of acquiescing to them and being nice, or are you going for the kneecaps right away?” Mike Greenberg said when he joined Golic on the radio show, the “very first thing I did was make fun of you.” Golic said, “You did go after me. So you think Max should go after Stephen A.?” Greenberg: “Absolutely!” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN2, 7/25).
