STEPHEN A. Smith and Molly Qerim’s First Take return dates have been revealed by ESPN.
The fiery personality Stephen A. and First Take host Qerim have been away from the sports debate show this month.
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Both Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith have been absent from First Take since June 30.
The popular program has since used fill-in hosts and analysts.
Last week, ESPN bumped First Take to ESPN2 in favor of the huge tennis event Wimbledon, live from London, England.
Some days have even seen the network ditch First Take altogether.
Fans have been concerned about Qerim and Stephen A.’s standings on the show.
But fans should worry no longer as the pair’s return dates have been announced.
ESPN BET’s associate director of communications, John R. Manzo, announced that Smith is taking a “well-deserved vacation into July” and that he will be away until closer to the start of the NFL season.
It’s expected that the 57-year-old will return sometime in August as the NFL preseason is taking place.
On July 1, Qerim shared on Instagram that she would be away from the show for multiple weeks.
“Another NBA szn in the books,” Qerim wrote.
“Thank y’all for rocking with us 10 yrs & counting.
“Time to work on my tan-lines, shut my brain off & be with the fam,” she added.
The 41-year-old did share, however, that she would return back in a few weeks.
“See ya in a few weeks. Grateful always, MQ,” Qerim wrote.
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That means that Qerim should be back in late July at the latest.
She would return just as the NFL’s training camps are in full swing.
Stephen A. and Qerim were big parts of ESPN’s basketball coverage and have earned a break before football season.
In the meantime, First Take will return to ESPN on Monday after the conclusion of Wimbledon coverage.
The Women’s final is on Saturday and the Men’s final is on Sunday.
