Molly Qerim: Why did Leave ESPN| Why did Leave first take

Molly Qerim: Why She’s Leaving First Take — The Full Story

Molly Qerim is stepping away. The longtime host of ESPN’s First Take has officially announced that she will leave the show and the network by the end of 2025. After roughly a decade guiding sports debates on one of the network’s most visible platforms, her exit has stirred questions: Why did Molly Qerim leave ESPN? What led her to leave First Take? This article pieces together the facts, reports, and likely motivations behind the decision.

Who Is Molly Qerim?

First, some background to set the stage.

• Molly Qerim (born March 31, 1984) is an American sports anchor and television personality. Wikipedia

• She joined ESPN in 2006, initially in digital/mobile teams and in various anchor/reporter roles.

• In mid-2015 she became interim host of First Take, replacing Cari Champion. Later that year she was named the permanent host.

• As host and moderator, she worked with analysts like Stephen A. Smith and various co-hosts, being the “desk chair” around which the talk-debate format rotates.

The Announcement: What She Said

On or around September 15-16, 2025, Qerim made public that she is stepping away. Key parts of her message:

• She posted on Instagram: “After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take.”

• She called hosting First Take “one of the greatest honors of my career,” praised her colleagues and the audience, spoke of lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.

• She also expressed that the news came out earlier than I intended, and not in the way I hoped.

From ESPN’s side:

• Burke Magnus, President of Content at ESPN, released a statement: Qerim has been “integral” to ESPN since 2006 and a “key driver of First Take‘s success” since 2015. Her professionalism, poise, and supportive teamwork were praised.

Reports & Insider Details: What We Know Behind The Scenes

While Molly Qerim’s public statements are graceful and general, several media reports give more context. These shed light on contract negotiations, timing, and possibly other motivations—not all of which she has confirmed.

Contract Negotiations

• Multiple sources (Sports Business Journal among them) report that ESPN offered Qerim a new contract to continue at ESPN and First Take.

• However, she reportedly declined the contract extension.

Timing & Decision

• The decision appears to have been in the works for some time: reports suggest she has given ESPN notice. Her departure is slated for the end of 2025.

• But also, the announcement came earlier than she intended, indicating perhaps that there was a leak or external pressure.

Other Possible Factors (Unconfirmed)

These are more speculative, drawn from media commentary or common industry context. They are not confirmed by Qerim herself, but may have played a role:

1. Desire for change / new challenges
   After ten years in a high-visibility, high-intensity role, many media personalities seek new opportunities—different shows, formats, media outside TV, production roles or even stepping away to rest or invest in personal projects. It’s possible Qerim felt she had done what she wanted to in First Take and wanted a different phase.

2. Work/life balance & personal health
   Qerim has previously disclosed health challenges, including severe endometriosis. Balancing the demands of daily debates, early hours, travel, and the pressure of live television could weigh heavily. That said, she has not explicitly cited health as a factor in the exit announcement.

3. Contract terms / creative control / salary
   Media reports that contract negotiation discussions were underway suggest that negotiations over compensation, terms, or creative control may have been a sticking point. Many departures in media are tied to disagreements over pay, schedule flexibility, content direction, or roles. Again, no direct quote from Qerim confirming specific contract numbers or demands has been published.

4. Publicity and press leak dynamics
   Since she said the announcement “came out earlier than I intended”, there may have been leaks, media pressure, or external news outlets pushing the story before she was ready. Such leaks can accelerate decisions or force public statements sooner than planned.

Official Reason vs. Likely Motivations

Putting together what is confirmed, what is reported, and what is speculative, here is a summary:

Why Did Molly Qerim Leave First Take—Putting It All Together

Given all of the above, the most plausible, overall reason seems to include:

• A combination of contract negotiations where the new terms being offered didn’t align with what she wanted (whether in salary, flexibility, role, expectations). She chose to decline a renewal.

• A sense that she has completed a major chapter in her life—after ~10 years with First Take, and almost two decades with ESPN. She may be ready for new opportunities, change, or possibly more flexibility.

• Desire for control over how and when she made the announcement—her statement that the news came out earlier than she wanted suggests she had a preferred timeline or manner for leaving, but that got accelerated by external reporting.

Thus, while the public statement is respectful, positive, and grateful, the subtext and media-reports suggest a decision driven by professional and personal priorities rather than a sudden crisis or single event.

What This Means for First Take and ESPN

Molly Qerim’s departure is significant for both the show and ESPN, in terms of branding, viewer connection, internal culture, and the evolving landscape of sports media.

• Viewer loyalty and chemistry: Qerim has been a consistent presence, moderating debates, facilitating discussions, and providing the balance amidst strong personalities. Her rapport with Stephen A. Smith and others built up over years is part of First Take’s identity. Her exit may change show dynamics, tone, or audience loyalty.

• Replacement and transitions: ESPN will need to find someone who can moderate the show in her stead—someone who can hold their own in fast-paced debates, command presence, professionalism. There may be internal candidates or external hires.

• Brand impact: First Take is not just a show—it’s a brand. Changes in roster can affect sponsorship, ratings, advertiser confidence. ESPN will likely manage the transition consciously to maintain the show’s momentum.

• Precedent in contract negotiations: When high-profile hosts like Qerim decline contract offers, it signals that networks may need to adapt in terms of what they offer in contracts—more flexibility, better health/personal life balance, creative control, etc., to retain talent.

What Molly Qerim Might Do Next

While she hasn’t spelled out her future, she ended her announcement with “Stay tuned.” Possible paths include:

1. Switching to a different show or format (TV, streaming, podcasts) where she can have more creative freedom or a less demanding daily schedule.

2. Producing or behind-the-scenes roles—some hosts transition to executive producing, content creation, or starting their own media projects.

3. Work outside the daily live debate format, perhaps in features, documentary style, or other sports media niches.

4. Personal priorities: time for family, health, passion projects, or simply taking a break.

What We Don’t Know (Yet)

There are still several unknowns:

• Exact details of the contract she declined: What terms she was offered, what she asked for, where the gap was.

• Whether health or personal life were central factors, or simply contributors.

• What her last day on First Take will be. The announcement says “end of 2025,” but whether there will be a final show, special farewell, etc., is not yet confirmed.

• Her next move: whether she has lined up something else, or is taking time before deciding.

Conclusion: A Thoughtful Exit Rather Than a Shock

Molly Qerim’s exit from ESPN and First Take appears to be a considered decision, influenced by contract negotiations, career trajectory, and personal priorities rather than a lurid scandal or sudden blow-up. Her tone has been appreciative, thoughtful, and poised, which aligns with her public persona over the past decade.

For ESPN and First Take, it marks the close of a significant era; for Molly, the opening of a new chapter. As fans and industry observers, it will be interesting to see what she does next—and how First Take evolves in her absence.

Summary

• Molly Qerim is leaving ESPN and First Take at the end of 2025 after having hosted the show since 2015.

• She declined a contract renewal offered by ESPN.

• She called the news out earlier than she intended.

• Likely factors: wanting new challenges, life / personal balance, possibly terms of the contract.

• Her departure will have impacts on First Take’s format, dynamic, viewership, and ESPN’s talent roster.