Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Max Kellerman

How Max Kellerman built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Max Kellerman is a prominent American sports television personality and boxing commentator. He is known for his roles as host of "This Just In with Max Kellerman" and co-host of "Keyshawn, JWill and Max" on ESPN Radio until his departure from ESPN in 2023. Before this, he gained significant recognition as a co-host on ESPN's "First Take" alongside Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. Kellerman's career includes hosting "Around the Horn" and co-hosting "SportsNation." Additionally, he has worked as a studio commentator for "Friday Night Fights" and a color commentator for HBO's boxing coverage.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1994: Signed by Columbia Records

In 1994, Max and his brother Sam were signed by Columbia Records as the hip-hop group "Max and Sam", and they recorded a music video titled "Young Man Rumble".

November 2002: Hosting Around the Horn

In November 2002, Max Kellerman was given his own show, Around the Horn, on ESPN.

2002: Hosting Around the Horn

In 2002, Max Kellerman began hosting the ESPN panel talk show Around the Horn, a role he held until 2004.

2004: End of Hosting Around the Horn

In 2004, Max Kellerman's time hosting Around the Horn ended.

2004: Departure from ESPN to Host I, Max

In early 2004, Max Kellerman left ESPN after failing to reach an agreement to remain with the network. He then began hosting a new show called I, Max on Fox Sports Net.

February 18, 2005: Final Airing of I, Max

On February 18, 2005, the last I, Max show aired on Fox.

2005: Permanent Contributor on Tucker

In 2005, Tucker Carlson announced that Max Kellerman would be a permanent contributor on his MSNBC show Tucker, on a segment of the show called "The Outsider".

August 21, 2006: Audition Shows at WEPN

Starting in the week of August 21, 2006, Max Kellerman did at least two nights of audition shows at 7 pm for WEPN, a ESPN Radio station in New York City, hosting one night with Sid Rosenberg.

August 28, 2006: Brandon Tierney Takes Over at 7 PM

On August 28, 2006, it was announced that Brandon Tierney would be taking over at 7 pm on WEPN, temporarily leaving Max Kellerman without a timeslot.

October 23, 2006: Hosting Program on WEPN

On October 23, 2006, Max Kellerman began hosting the 10 am to noon program on WEPN, replacing ESPN's nationally broadcast Colin Cowherd program.

2006: Co-hosting King of Vegas

In 2006, Max Kellerman co-hosted the Spike TV series, King of Vegas.

September 2007: Extending Show to 1 PM

In September 2007, Max Kellerman began hosting a third hour, extending his show on WEPN to 1 pm.

2007: Move to HBO World Championship Boxing

In 2007, Max Kellerman moved up to the HBO World Championship Boxing main team alongside Jim Lampley and Harold Lederman.

February 4, 2008: Show Added to XM Radio

On February 4, 2008, The Max Kellerman Show was added to XM Radio on ESPN Xtra.

March 2008: Cancellation of Tucker

In March 2008, the show Tucker, where Max Kellerman was a contributor, was canceled.

March 9, 2009: End of Relationship with ESPN Radio

On March 9, 2009, Max Kellerman and ESPN Radio mutually ended their relationship. Brandon Tierney temporarily filled in, and Colin Cowherd took his timeslot.

May 12, 2010: Hired by CNN

On May 12, 2010, it was announced that Max Kellerman had been hired by CNN to weigh in on sports and pop culture issues on CNN American Morning and other programs.

December 2010: Joins KSPN in Los Angeles

In December 2010, Max Kellerman was announced as the new midday host at ESPN Radio station KSPN in Los Angeles, alongside Marcellus Wiley.

2013: Co-hosting SportsNation

In 2013, Max Kellerman began co-hosting the sports comedy talk show SportsNation alongside Marcellus Wiley and Michelle Beadle, a role he continued until 2016.

May 2015: Coverage of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fight

In May 2015, Max Kellerman covered the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao boxing match for HBO, and received criticism for his post-match interview with Manny Pacquiao.

July 25, 2016: Joins First Take

On July 25, 2016, Max Kellerman replaced Skip Bayless on ESPN's First Take as co-analyst alongside Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim.

2016: End of Co-hosting SportsNation

In 2016, Max Kellerman stopped co-hosting the sports comedy talk show SportsNation.

2018: Signs Multiyear Contract with ESPN

With HBO leaving the boxing business at the end of 2018, Max Kellerman signed a multiyear contract with ESPN, greatly expanding his role in the network's boxing coverage.

September 2021: Departure from First Take

In September 2021, Max Kellerman departed from First Take after Stephen A. Smith requested his removal.

June 2023: Departure from ESPN

In June 2023, Max Kellerman departed from ESPN, where he was hosting This Just In with Max Kellerman and co-hosting Keyshawn, JWill and Max on ESPN Radio.