Stephen A. Smith Reacts to Massive Ratings Increase for First Take

Stephen A. Smith bet against Max Kellerman, and it appears it’s paying off.

Over the last few months, ESPN’s First Take has had steady rating increases, and now that Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is in the mix, it would appear as though there is a real renewed interest in the show.

Russo is the perfect complementary piece for Smith, and the two have made for some truly hilarious segments.

Stephen A. Smith’s First Debate With Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo Was Just As Wild As We Expectedhttps://t.co/KRzH9IMpvd

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) February 17, 2022

According to a report from The Big Lead, First Take had an average February viewership of 445,000, which is the most they have ever had in that month. That’s 22 percent increase from the previous month, and it show that  the show is not in decline, despite what some of the critics have said.

Stephen A. Smith took to Twitter to show appreciation for the viewership increase as he wrote “Thank You All.”

Thank You All. https://t.co/NBEv6GDmqx

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 3, 2022

Looks like Stephen A. found his new Skip Bayless.

This back-and-forth between @MadDogUnleashed and @stephenasmith is comedy 😂

(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/b8u9W2K6kc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 2, 2022

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