MOLLY Qerim didn’t appear on Monday’s edition of First Take, and for a sole reason.
The 41-year-old TV host and the fiery personality Stephen A. Smith were absent from First Take.
3
3
Qerim has been the host of First Take since 2015.
She has been a daily presence on the show alongside Stephen A. and company.
However, Qerim wasn’t performing her hosting duties on Monday’s First Take program, and Smith wasn’t to be found either.
Qerim shared on Instagram that she’ll be away from the show for multiple weeks as she’ll be on vacation with her family.
“Another NBA szn in the books. Thank y’all for rocking with us 10 yrs & counting,” Qerim wrote in a post.
“Time to work on my tan-lines, shut my brain off & be with the fam.
“See ya in a few weeks.
“Grateful always, MQ.”
ESPN, meanwhile, announced that Smith won’t be on First Take this week and for the foreseeable future.
The network announced he will also be on vacation, but he won’t return until closer to the start of the NFL season.
That suggests that Stephen A. will be out until at least early August.
Qerim and Smith’s absences are well-timed as the NBA and NHL finished their seasons last month.
The MLB, WNBA, and MLS are the only major sports being played currently.
First Take will be anchored by other hosts as the show continues its usual 10 am to noon ET weekday broadcasts from its new studio in Hudson Square in New York City.
Qerim is expected to return later this month when the NFL begins its training camp sessions.
3
Stephen A. has been ESPN’s leading voice after penning a $100 million contract in March.
The 57-year-old is expected to have a bigger role in the upcoming football campaign.
As a result, Smith could be part of Monday Night Football.
Molly Qerim’s life in the spotlight
Molly Qerim has risen through the ranks to become one of the biggest stars at ESPN.
The popular sports host began her media career in 2006 with ESPN and spent four years with the network.
She then covered college basketball and football for CBS Sports Network in New York.
Qerim balanced that with hosting duties for NFL Network in Los Angeles – fronting NFLAM and NFL Fantasy Live.
The host returned to ESPN in 2015 and immediately took the role of First Take anchor.
And Qerim has been an ever-present, popular host of the daily sports debate show ever since.
