ESPN Has Found Its Replacement for Skip Bayless on ‘First Take,’ Colin Cowherd Claims

“Max Kellerman’s leaving [‘SportsNation’] … he’s gonna be on ‘First Take,'” Fox Sports host says

First Take Skip Bayless Colin Cowherd Max Kellerman
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Polarizing sports commentator Skip Bayless left ESPN’s “First Take” to take a gig at Fox Sports and his new colleague believes the network is going to replace him with Max Kellerman.

Like Bayless, Colin Cowherd recently left ESPN for Fox Sports, and while experimenting with Periscope Tuesday afternoon, Cowherd might have revealed who will be joining Stephen A. Smith on the “First Take” set.

Cowherd used to host “SportsNation” with Michelle Beadle, whose current co-host of “SportsNation” is Kellerman (along with Marcellus Wiley), so surprised some fans when Cowherd was asked about his old gig during the Periscope session.

“Michelle Beadle’s a friend,” Cowherd said. “Max Kellerman’s leaving that show, he’s gonna be on ‘First Take.’ Yeah, it’s a done deal. Well, pretty much.”

“Beadle likes Kellerman. That’s not gonna play well for Beadle. She’ll be upset,” he continued, dishing on the expected impact of the departure. “These blogs don’t know what’s going on. This stuff’s all done … They’re like $100,000 apart in negotiations. He’s leaving ‘SportsNation’ and Michelle Beadle’s p—ed off.”

We don’t know for sure if what Cowherd opines is accurate, but it all makes sense. He’s not a fan of ESPN after a nasty split but remains very close with Beadle, while Bayless is now his co-worker at Fox Sports. Meanwhile, Kellerman has long been rumored as a potential replacement.

ESPN declined TheWrap’s request for comment.

Smith, who battled Bayless on “First Take” on a daily basis and needs a new co-host, promised at ESPN’s Upfront presentation last month that the show will be “even better” without Bayless.

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