Molly Qerim makes surprising move after a decade on ESPN’s first take

The longtime ESPN host makes an unexpected career move.

In a surprising development, longtime First Take host Molly Qerim is leaving ESPN, ending an era that has defined the network’s flagship debate show for years.

The news has sparked conversation among sports fans and media insiders, who were caught off guard by the announcement.

Qerim, who joined First Take in 2015, quickly became a central presence on the program, moderating fiery debates between Stephen A. Smith and a rotating cast of analysts.

Her ability to balance heated discussions with professionalism earned her recognition as one of ESPN’s most steady on-air voices.

While ESPN has not revealed the circumstances surrounding her exit, the timing has fueled speculation about what may have led to the sudden change.

Industry watchers are also questioning who might step in to fill her role, and how her absence could shift the dynamic of a show that has long relied on its unique chemistry.

The departure represents a major turning point for ESPN’s morning programming. As the sports media landscape continues to evolve, fans are left to wonder how the network will navigate this transition and whether First Take can maintain its influence without Qerim’s familiar presence at the table.

For now, ESPN has remained quiet on its next steps, leaving audiences waiting for further updates on one of the network’s most talked-about departures in recent years.