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Stephen A. Smith gives emotional farewell to Molly Qerim

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 11:48 AM ET

Molly Qerim has confirmed she is leaving ESPN, and Stephen A. Smith delivered an emotional farewell to his longtime colleague on Tuesday.

A report surfaced on Monday night that Qerim would be leaving ESPN at the end of 2025. The network is said to have offered Qerim a new contract, but she has chosen to move on.

While Qerim is under contract with ESPN through the end of the year, it appears she has chosen to leave “First Take” immediately. She issued a statement via social media confirming that she has “decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take.”

Qerim said the news did not come out “in the way I had hoped” but that hosting the show was “one of the greatest honors of my career.”

Molly Qerim confirmed her exit from First Take and ESPN on her IG story in this heartfelt message ♥️ https://t.co/rDflQlSF53 pic.twitter.com/GjBUS5HpTz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 16, 2025

Stephen A. Smith then addressed Qerim’s departure at the start of Tuesday’s edition of “First Take.”

“She’s hosted ‘First Take’ for 10 years with her grace, her expertise and her incomparable kindness. She’s been an enormous part of our success for a decade,” Smith said. “Not only did she keep me and many others in line, she did it with dignity and class and kindness, to say the least. We’ll miss her. We wish her every blessing on her future. I personally am grateful to her for her friendship, and I will miss spending every weekday morning with her right by my side.”

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… pic.twitter.com/2aAmG8d2N7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 16, 2025

Qerim, 41, first began at ESPN in 2006 in a digital media content role. She then moved to the television side for the network in 2008, serving as a host and reporter for shows such as “College Football Live” and “Fantasy Football Now.” Qerim became the permanent host of “First Take” in 2015.

Qerim got married to former NBA player Jalen Rose in 2018. Rose was an analyst for ESPN at the time. The two ended up filing for divorce in 2021.

Before she joined ESPN, Qerim worked for NFL Network and CBS Sports Network.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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