Stephen A. reacts, opens First Take with tribute, after Molly's ESPN exit

Molly Qerim has decided to permission ESPN’s First Take. She made the announcement connected Monday, September 15, 2025. She said her last time with the web volition travel astatine the extremity of this year.

On Tuesday, September 16, Qerim was not connected air. The amusement opened with Stephen A. Smith sitting astatine the table successful Bristol, Connecticut. He looked into the camera and gave a heartfelt tribute to his co-host of 10 years. He told viewers that the programme volition not beryllium the aforesaid without her.

Stephen A. Smith praises Molly Qerim connected September 16 show

Stephen A. Smith began First Take connected September 16 with a wide message. “Normally, our person Molly Qerim would greet you. However, Molly announced past nighttime she volition beryllium departing from ESPN,” helium said. He past looked backmost connected her decennary arsenic host. He called her clip connected the amusement afloat of “grace, expertise and incomparable kindness.”

Stephen A. Smith added that she ever kept him and others successful line. He said she managed it with “dignity, people and kindness.” He besides gave a idiosyncratic note. “I personally americium grateful to her for her friendship. I volition miss spending each weekday greeting with her close by my side,” Smith said. With Qerim absent, Marcus Spears and Chris Canty joined him astatine the table for the episode.

Molly Qerim explains her determination to measurement away

On September 15, Molly Qerim utilized her Instagram Story to corroborate her exit.

“After overmuch reflection, I’ve decided it’s clip to adjacent this unthinkable section and measurement distant from First Take,” she wrote. She thanked fans and colleagues. She called hosting the amusement “one of the top honors of my career.” She besides said the announcement came retired earlier than she wanted.Sports Business Journal reported that ESPN offered her a caller contract. Qerim turned it down. She was expected to enactment until December.

Her lack connected September 16 raised questions astir whether she whitethorn permission sooner. Also Read: Andre Agassi Spotted Smiling With Surprise Companion Ahead Of Big Laver Cup 2025 StageESPN contented president Burke Magnus praised her successful a nationalist statement. He said she was cardinal to the occurrence of the amusement and ever showed professionalism and poise.Molly Qerim joined ESPN successful 2006. She became big of First Take successful 2015. She spent 10 years guiding 1 of ESPN’s most-watched programs. Now, aft a decennary astatine the desk, she is acceptable to determination on.