The morning sports landscape feels a little empty lately. If you’ve tuned into ESPN recently, you probably noticed the moderator’s chair looks different. Molly Qerim, the steady hand that guided the chaos of First Take for a decade, is officially gone.
It wasn't a slow fade, either. It was an explosion.
One day she was there, keeping Stephen A. Smith and Mad Dog Russo from vibrating off the screen, and the next, she was posting a farewell on Instagram. Fans are still scratching their heads. Was she fired? Did she quit in a huff? Honestly, the truth is a messy mix of "it’s just business" and some pretty awkward contract drama that leaked way too early.
Why Molly Qerim Leaves First Take Right Now
The timeline of this whole thing is wild. Back in September 2025, reports started surfacing that Molly was planning to leave at the end of the year. Standard stuff, right? Usually, when a big star’s contract is up, there’s a long goodbye tour.
But within 24 hours of that news breaking, Molly posted her own statement and basically walked out the door. She didn't wait for December. She didn't want to be a "lame duck" for three months while everyone talked about her replacement.
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Basically, the "Molly Qerim leaves First Take" saga turned into an immediate resignation because the news got out before she could control the narrative. ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus admitted the timing caught them totally off guard. They were actually in renewal talks, but things had already turned sour.
The Money Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About
Look, sports media is a brutal math equation. Stephen A. Smith is the sun that the ESPN solar system revolves around. He’s reportedly pulling in roughly $20 million a year.
Molly? Insiders like Marcellus Wiley have suggested her salary was closer to $500,000.
Think about that for a second. That is a massive gap for two people who share the same desk every single morning. Reports indicate that ESPN offered her a new deal, but it wasn't the "step up" she was looking for. She wanted a bigger role, maybe her own show, and a paycheck that reflected her status as the glue holding their most popular show together.
When the offer came in low, she reportedly saw it as a slap in the face. She chose to walk. You can't really blame her. After 10 years of being the "adult in the room," seeing colleagues like Mina Kimes sign massive extensions while you're offered a "maintenance" contract has to sting.
Who Is the New Face of First Take?
ESPN didn't waste much time. After a month of "on-air tryouts" where they cycled through different personalities, they officially handed the keys to Shae Cornette.
If you’re a die-hard ESPN viewer, you know Shae. She’s been a staple on SportsCenter and has that same high-energy, "don't mess with me" vibe that the show requires. Her first official day was November 3, 2025.
It’s a tough spot to be in. Replacing a legend is never easy, especially when the chemistry with Stephen A. is so specific. But Shae has been holding her own. She’s bringing a slightly different energy—maybe a bit more "X’s and O’s" focused—compared to Molly’s more traditional moderator style.
The Fallout and What’s Next for Molly
Since she left, Molly has kept a pretty low profile. She did a Q&A session at her alma mater, UConn, with coach Dan Hurley, but she hasn't signed a major TV deal yet.
There’s a lot of speculation. Could she head to Fox Sports? Maybe Amazon or Netflix as they ramp up their sports coverage?
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Some people think she might move away from the "debate" format entirely. After a decade of hearing people scream about the Cowboys and LeBron James, maybe she just needs a break. Her Instagram bio still lists her as the host of First Take as of early 2026, which feels more like a "forgetting to update the resume" thing than a hint she’s coming back.
What You Should Know Moving Forward
If you're looking for the TL;DR on this whole situation, here are the cold, hard facts of the transition:
- Contract Stalemate: Molly wanted more money and more creative control. ESPN wouldn't budge.
- The Leak: Once the news of her impending 2025 exit leaked in September, she decided to leave immediately rather than finish her contract.
- Stephen A. Smith's Role: While he praised her publicly, insiders suggest he didn't exactly fight to keep her. In his world, everyone except him is replaceable.
- The Replacement: Shae Cornette is now the permanent host.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’ve been following this closely, there are a few things to keep an eye on as the 2026 sports season heats up.
First, watch the ratings. First Take is a personality-driven show. If the chemistry between Shae and Stephen A. doesn't click by the time the NBA playoffs roll around, ESPN might have a problem on their hands.
Second, watch the streaming space. Molly is a massive free agent. If she pops up on a platform like Netflix or Apple TV+, it’s a sign that the "traditional" sports media bubble is officially popping.
Lastly, check out Shae Cornette’s social media. She’s been leaning heavily into the fashion side of the job—something Molly was famous for—to try and keep that same visual identity for the show. It’s a smart move to bridge the gap for fans who hate change.
Keep your eyes on Molly’s next move. She’s talented, she’s got a decade of experience at the highest level, and she’s probably got a massive chip on her shoulder right now. That usually makes for great television.