Molly Qerim, the longtime moderator and co-host of ESPN’s daytime debate show "First Take," confirmed she will leave the program and the network later this year.
In a message on her Instagram Stories, Qerim said she had chosen "to close this incredible chapter and step away from 'First Take.'" She described hosting the show as "one of the greatest honors" of her career and thanked viewers and colleagues for their support.
The Sports Business Journal reported that ESPN offered Qerim a new contract, which she declined, though details of any negotiations and the status of her current deal were not disclosed. An ESPN spokesperson, speaking through Burke Magnus, the network’s president of content, lauded Qerim’s tenure with the company, noting she had been "an integral part of ESPN since 2006 and a key driver of 'First Take’s' success since joining as host a decade ago." Magnus said Qerim "elevated the show with her poise, skill and professionalism," and that the network respected her decision and wished her well.
Qerim joined ESPN in 2006 and became the host of "First Take" after replacing Cari Champion in 2015. She was named the program’s permanent moderator about two years later and has been a steady presence through multiple cast changes and format shifts.
"First Take" has featured several prominent personalities in recent years. Stephen A. Smith has served as a central commentator on the show, Max Kellerman joined the program after replacing Skip Bayless in 2016 and left in 2021, and Shannon Sharpe was a frequent guest before his departure in July following a settlement in a sexual assault case. The show broadcasts from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on occasion and remains one of ESPN’s flagship daily discussion programs.
Qerim’s announcement closes a chapter in a show that helped define ESPN’s daytime personality-driven programming and which has been a significant platform for sports debate and commentary. The network’s statement emphasized both her contributions to the program and her role as a supportive colleague, noting her "extraordinary daily commitment to sports fans and ESPN."
It was not immediately clear who will succeed Qerim or how "First Take" will adjust its lineup and format once she departs. The network did not provide a timeline for her final appearance, and Qerim did not outline her next professional moves in her Instagram message.
Qerim’s exit arrives amid broader contract negotiations and talent shifts across sports media, but her departure will be measured chiefly by viewers and producers against nearly two decades of on-air work at ESPN. Her tenure on "First Take" spanned a period of evolution for the show, which has altered its roster and approach while remaining a daily destination for debate on major sports stories.
ESPN did not immediately respond to requests for further comment about programming plans or personnel changes. Qerim’s followers and colleagues reflected on her announcement on social media, and sports media outlets are expected to report further details as they emerge about timing and succession plans for the show.
Qerim’s decision marks a notable personnel change at a program that has been central to ESPN’s daytime lineup and the broader landscape of sports television debate.