While LeBron James himself is still out with a sciatic nerve injury, at least until mid-November, his agent, Rich Paul, is planning an exciting new venture. According to reports, he will be joined in this venture by Max Kellerman, who gained national recognition during his long, successful spell as Stephen A. Smith’s co-host on ESPN’s First Take.
In the ever-evolving, fast-paced NBA media landscape, podcasts are proving fruitful and popular. NBA experts, players, ex-players, and legends alike have been dabbling in the podcast game, each with their unique insights and stories to tell. Reportedly, two more names will be joining the podcast medium.
Rich Paul And Max Kellerman Team Up To Start New Podcast
According to Yahoo Sports, and announced by Bill Simmons, LeBron’s agent and Klutch Sports founder, Rich Paul, and former ESPN host Max Kellerman are teaming up for a new podcast. This will be for the Ringer and will run three times a week.
Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul and former ESPN host Max Kellerman are teaming up to do a podcast together for The Ringer, Bill Simmons announced.
Simmons didn’t reveal the name of the new show but shared that it will be a video podcast running three times each week. pic.twitter.com/QEUIuF7pb6
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 3, 2025
This should prove a welcome return for Kellerman, who was a useful foil for Stephen A. Smith’s rants and hot takes each morning on ESPN. Many feel that was the best era for First Take, and that the level dropped after Kellerman’s acrimonious departure from ESPN in 2023 following a rumored falling-out with Smith.
A Brief Look At Kellerman And Paul
Fans of LeBron will certainly be interested now that a member of his inner circle, Paul, will have a prominent media platform. Paul has a wide-ranging client base in the NBA with Klutch Sports. He represents a total of 34 NBA players, according to PFSN in July.
A talent base that includes Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Tyrese Maxey, Zach LaVine, and Darius Garland, among others. Paul has become a significant power broker in the NBA and NFL.
Kellerman, a New York sports fan, had a successful radio presence on ESPN Radio in New York for many years. He created controversy locally after publicly trading his Knicks fandom for the Nets, but his passion and knowledge for a wide range of sports have nevertheless been missed on TV and the airwaves. He was also a recognizable figure announcing major boxing fights as one of the country’s leading boxing experts.
According to Bill Simmons, this plan has been in the pipeline for a while. Kellerman apparently pitched the idea to Simmons to join the Ringer, and he was in talks to do a show with his good friend Paul.
On Simmons’ podcast, he recalled Kellerman presented the idea to be joined by Paul: “they’ve always wanted to do something, like a back-and-forth kind of Ringer-type show. Like a conversation show, chemistry show.”
This is bound to be an interesting show, and expect many high-profile guests given their contacts; it will be a particularly welcome return for Kellerman.