{"id":162268,"date":"2025-09-17T03:20:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T03:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/162268\/"},"modified":"2025-09-17T03:20:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T03:20:06","slug":"molly-qerim-abruptly-resigns-from-espns-first-take","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/162268\/","title":{"rendered":"Molly Qerim Abruptly Resigns From ESPN’s ‘First Take’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\u201cLast night, she abruptly resigned,\u201d said ESPN<\/a>\u2018s Stephen A. Smith<\/a> of his longtime First Take<\/a> cohort, Molly Qerim<\/a>, this afternoon. \u201cThe details, quite frankly, are none of y\u2019all business,\u201d he said, before explaining her departure came after contract negotiations with the network. <\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cESPN certainly did not want to lose her,\u201d Smith continued, \u201cbut in the end she made the decision to walk away from the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe news was first reported<\/a> by Sports Business Journal and later confirmed by the longtime First Take host herself.<\/p>\n

\n\tQerim indicated that the news had come out \u201cearlier than I had intended, and not in the way that I hoped.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tShe continued, \u201cAfter much reflection, I\u2019ve decided it\u2019s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take,\u201d Qerim wrote on her Instagram story. \u201cHosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate, and entertaining voices in sports \u2014 and with all of you, the best fans in the world.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI\u2019m so grateful for what this journey has given me: lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and the chance to be part of something truly special. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for welcoming me into your homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tShe signed off with \u201cstay tuned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\n\tSmith also addressed the story at the top of this morning\u2019s edition of First Take, a show on which the level-headed Qerim frequently pulled a hot-taking Stephen A. and other guests back from the brink.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cNormally, our friend Molly Qerim would greet you. However, Molly announced last night she will be departing from ESPN. She\u2019s hosted First Take for 10 years and elevated the show with her grace, her expertise and her incomparable kindness. \u2026 We\u2019ll miss her and wish her every blessing on her future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI personally am grateful to her for her friendship, and I will miss spending every weekday morning with her right by my side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith: “Good morning and welcome to First Take. Normally, our friend Molly Qerim would greet you. However, Molly announced last night she will be departing from ESPN. She’s hosted First Take for 10 years and elevated the show with her grace, her expertise and her\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/2aAmG8d2N7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tESPN\u2019s president of content Burke Magnus\u00a0later thanked Qerim for her work at the network.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cMolly has been an integral part of ESPN since 2006 and a key driver of First Take\u2019s success since joining as a host decades ago,\u201d he wrote. \u201cShe elevated the show with her poise, skill and professionalism, while supporting others as a kind and encouraging teammate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tOn the same day that Qerim\u2019s departure became public, the network also announced it had reached a multi-year extension with rising star Malika Andrews, who hosts the network\u2019s NBA Today and NBA Countdown.<\/p>\n