Molly Qerim and Stempen A. Smith (Photo via Imagn Images)
‘First Take’ host Molly Qerim is reportedly set to leave ESPN.

Qerim, a staple on ESPN’s flagship show for the better part of a decade, is expected to leave The Worldwide Leader in Sports at the end of the year, which means she’ll be gone in just a few months.

Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal broke the news on Monday night, revealing that Qerim will walk away from ESPN at the end of 2025. She is understood to have rejected the offer of a new contract from the company.

“Molly Qerim, the host of ESPN’s ‘First Take’ since 2015, is leaving the network at the end of the year, sources tell SBJ,” Karp wrote. “Qerim first started at ESPN in 2006 working on digital/mobile efforts before moving over to the news team in 2008. Sources tell SBJ that ESPN offered Qerim a contract, but she choose to move on.”

Molly Qerim Confirms ESPN Departure

Molly Qerim (Photo via Instagram)
As noted above, Molly Qerim has been hosting ‘First Take’ since 2015.

A UConn graduate, she has held multiple roles since joining the network in 2006. The 41-year-old often goes viral for her outfits and has had some memorable moments with co-host Stephen A. Smith, who was once forced to deny dating rumors following months of curious speculation.

She took to Instagram with a message on Monday night, expressing regret at how the news dropped.

“Now that the news came out earlier than I intended, and not in the way I hoped…” she wrote.

“To my First Take family, After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take. Hosting this show has been one of the great honors of my career.”

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Qerim worked at NFL Network and CBS Sports before joining ESPN almost 20 years ago.

She will definitely be missed on ‘First Take’.