'Uncomfortable' Stephen A. Smith hints at reason behind First Take host Molly Qerim's sudden ESPN exit

As the ripple effect from Molly Qerim's upcoming exit from ESPN unfolds, 'First Take' co-host Stephen A. Smith has hinted at the 'uncomfortable' reason behind the sudden departure. 

Qerim's impending steps away from ESPN were first reported on Monday evening, with the sports network confirming the split on Tuesday. 

The show went on without Qerim on Tuesday after the news had already spread of one of the shows tentpole members leaving her post. 

No reason has been stated for Qerim's departure by the 41-year-old, ESPN, or Smith. Yet, the bombastic sports commentator gave his full thoughts on the situation on Tuesday. 

'To say that I’m quite sad about it is an understatement,' Smith said. '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.'

'The details, quite frankly, are none of y’all’ business. It’s not as if I know all the details. It was a contract negotiation that was going on. 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 report of Qerim's departure was stated as the end of 2025, with her final day at the network unclear despite Smith saying she was gone immediately. 

Some have speculated the Qerim is jumping to another network, as she wrote 'Stay tuned' on her social-media statement about her departure. 

'To be blunt, it came as a shock. I was not aware that this is something that she was contemplating doing. But in the end, she made her decision and we have to move on as a show,' Smith continued. 

'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.'

'But we all make decisions that we deem to being our best interest for whatever reason. And that story is for her to tell. Do I have an idea, of course I do. Am I going to share it with you? No. Because again that’s her story to tell.'

Smith concluded that 'the love is always here' when it comes to him and Qerim.