ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has publicly addressed the unexpected departure of his former 'First Take' co-host, Molly Qerim, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding her exit from the popular sports debate show. Qerim's sudden resignation in September 2025 stunned loyal viewers, marking the end of her ten-year tenure as host.
Smith's Candid Remarks on Netflix Appearance
During an appearance on the Netflix programme 'The White House with Michael Irvin', alongside former NFL star Brandon Marshall, Smith emphatically stated that Qerim's departure was unrelated to him, despite his role as executive producer of 'First Take'. He clarified, 'Molly decided that she wanted to leave, and she had some issues that I'm not going to discuss. It wasn't with me, but she had some issues that was foremost on her mind and she made the decision to abruptly resign.'
Reflecting on a Decade-Long Partnership
Smith expressed his personal sentiments about the loss, adding, 'When [her departure] happened, it was incredibly unfortunate. I can tell you that Molly and I worked together for 10 years — I loved Molly. I didn't want her to leave.' Qerim had become the full-time host on September 15, 2015, and exactly a decade later, on September 15, 2025, she hosted her final episode, following reports of her intention to move on.
On the broadcast of September 16, Smith opened by admitting he 'was not aware that this is something she was contemplating doing.' ESPN's president of content, Burke Magnus, later told The Athletic that the network 'were going to make a change' regarding the host position, but Qerim pre-empted this by leaving before her contract expired.
Qerim's Farewell and New Ventures
In a heartfelt Instagram story post, Qerim explained her decision, writing, '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 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 — and with all of you, the best fans in the world.'
Since her exit, Qerim has transitioned to Paramount+, where she contributes as a voice for Zuffa Boxing. Following her departure, ESPN replaced her with Shae Cornette, who had been with the network since 2019, ensuring continuity for the 'First Take' audience.
