Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim (Photo Via YouTube and Instagram/@mollyqerim)

Molly Qerim’s upcoming exit from ESPN has created a lot of talks in the media circle, and now First Take co-host Stephen A. Smith has hinted that a particular reason may be behind her sudden departure.

The 41-year-old host’s departure hit fans hard, and even Smith admitted he didn’t see it coming. ESPN confirmed the move Tuesday, just a day after reports first surfaced. The show continued without her, but the absence left a noticeable hole.

Smith expressed about how much the decision hurt him. “To say that I’m quite sad about it is an understatement,” he said.

He added, “Molly is a friend. Molly is a co-worker. Molly is somebody that I’ve leaned on on many occasions in the past, as she has done when it comes to me. We’ve been partners on the show for the last 10 years, and a lot of times some of these things happen, and it’s just uncomfortable to see.”

Molly Qerim’s Contract Fight, A Hint, And A Shock

Molly Qerim (Photo By Instagram/@mollyqerim)
Smith made it clear he wasn’t about to spill all the details. Still, he dropped enough to hint at what pushed Qerim out. “It was a contract negotiation that was going on,” Smith explained. “ESPN certainly did not want to lose her. But in the end, she made her decision to walk away from the show effective immediately.”

The timing of her final day remains unclear. Reports pointed to the end of 2025, but Smith told viewers Qerim was already gone. The contradiction only fueled more questions. On her end, Qerim kept it short, posting a simple “Stay tuned” on social media. That line sparked speculation she could be headed to another network.

Smith, meanwhile, made it clear the choice caught him off guard. “To be blunt, it came as a shock,” he admitted. “I was not aware that this is something that she was contemplating doing.”

Smith spoke the truth about his feelings, saying, “I don’t like it. I’m not happy about it because I appreciate her and what she has meant to me, and what she has meant to the show, and what she has meant to the business. And I’m going to miss her. It’s just that simple”

As ESPN deals with Qerim’s exit, the network tried to soften the blow by locking in Malika Andrews with a new multi-year deal. The timing of that announcement has only added to the hype, especially since it came right after one of the show’s prime personality decided to step away.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.