Who will replace Molly Qerim on First Take? View the list of potential replacements.
Molly Qerim Leaving First Take And ESPN
Sources: Molly Qerim moving on from ESPN, ‘First Take’ https://t.co/gKW3FfyRZH
— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) September 16, 2025
First Take needs a new host.
As first reported by Sports Business Journal, Qerim is leaving First Take and ESPN at the end of the year. Qerim will not be a part of First Take going forward.
Qerim later confirmed the news on her Instagram.
“After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take,” Qerim wrote. “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.”
According to SBJ, ESPN offered Qerim a new contract, but she chose to leave the network.
Stephen A. Smith shared a tribute to Qerim on First Take this morning. He later spoke more freely about the “abrupt resignation” on his Sirius XM show.
“Molly is a friend. Molly is a co-worker,” Smith said. “Molly is somebody that I’ve leaned on on many occasions in the past, as she has done when it comes to me. We’ve been partners on the show for the last 10 years, and a lot of times some of these things happen, and it’s just uncomfortable to see.”
Smith hinted that the contract negotiation led to Qerim’s departure.
“The details, quite frankly, are none of y’all business. It’s not as if I know all the details. It was a contract negotiation that was going on,” Smith explained. “ESPN certainly did not want to lose her. But in the end, she made her decision to walk away from the show effective immediately.”
Smith added, “I don’t like it. I’m not happy about it because I appreciate her and what she has meant to me, and what she has meant to the show, and what she has meant to the business. And I’m going to miss her.”
Who Will Become The New Host Of First Take?
Uh Oh: Stephen A. Smith reveals that Molly Qerim "abruptly" resigned from ESPN and First Take last night.
"Last night she abruptly resigned as the host of the show."
Something weird is definitely going on…😳 pic.twitter.com/RTGfrjIUwp
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 16, 2025
In the interim, Smith will likely take over as the host and moderator of First Take. With Smith in the studio during the football season, he can handle the hosts’ duties for now.
However, the show will need a full-time host, especially when Smith travels more during the basketball season.
Shae Peppler Cornette is one of the leading candidates to become the next host if ESPN decides to promote from within. Cornette has filled in for Qerim on numerous occasions and has a good rapport with Smith.
Christine Williamson is another likely candidate that ESPN should consider to replace Qerim.
Keep an eye on Matt Barrie and Peter Schrager as dark horse candidates for the First Take position.
