Stephen A Smith Speaks Out On Live TV About Molly Qerim Quitting ESPN During Opening Segment Of ‘First Take’ [VIDEO]
Stephen A. Smith (Photo via ESPN)
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith opened Tuesday’s episode of ‘First Take’ without Molly Qerim at the desk, immediately addressing her decision to quit the network.
News of Molly’s departure from The Worldwide Leader In Sports broke late Monday night, as Sports Business Journal’s Austin Karp cited sources claiming Molly would leave the company after working there for nearly two decades.
“Molly Qerim, the host of ESPN’s ‘First Take’ since 2015, is leaving the network at the end of the year, sources tell SBJ,” Karp wrote.
He added that, “ESPN offered Qerim a contract, but she choose to move on.”
Qerim confirmed this shortly after, taking to her Instagram Story to reveal that she would indeed leave, although she was unhappy with the way the development dropped.
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“Now that the news came out earlier than I intended, and not in the way I hoped…” she wrote.
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“To my First Take family, After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take. Hosting this show has been one of the great honors of my career.”
Stephen A Smith Cut A Somber Figure Opening ‘First Take’
Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim (Image Credit: @awfulannouncing/X)
With ESPN still scrambling to replace Shannon Sharpe, losing Molly Qerim will come as a huge blow. Smith, who had a fiery reaction to Charlie Kirk’s killing nearly a week ago, was in quite the somber mood as he addressed the news on Tuesday morning.
“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,” he said.
“She’s hosted First Take for 10 years and elevated the show with her grace, her expertise and her incomparable kindness… we’ll miss her and wish her every blessing on her future.”
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Molly has been with ESPN since 2006, working at NFL Network and CBS Sports before joining the network. She took on multiple roles there before taking over as the host of ‘First Take’ in 2015 and quickly became a fan favorite.
It will be interesting to see what she does next.
