Stephen A Smith may be the reason why Max Kellerman has been removed from First Take

According to  reports, Smith no longer wanted to share the stage with Kellerman and it was Smith who demanded that Max be thrown off the show:

Since he has become a giant in the industry, his moves reverberate. Smith has wanted Kellerman off “First Take” for years. Though it wasn’t personal, according to sources, Kellerman has a “smartest guy in the room” attitude, and Smith wanted more of a debating challenger. And ultimately, he wanted it to be him versus the world.

https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/1430297090731692032?s=20 If this is true then this speaks volumes of just how much power Smith holds in his hands.