Molly Qerim, the longtime host of ESPN's flagship debate show "First Take," announced her departure Monday from both the program and the network at the end of the year.
The news broke via a report from Sports Business Journal (SBJ), citing sources that ESPN had offered her a new contract earlier in 2025, but Qerim opted to move on after nearly two decades with the company.
Qerim, 41, confirmed the decision in an emotional Instagram Story post later that evening, expressing gratitude to her "First Take family" while noting the announcement came out sooner and in a way she hadn't planned.
While she hinted at "more to come" with a "stay tuned" note, details on her future plans remain undisclosed, sparking speculation about potential moves to other networks or personal ventures.
This departure is a significant shift for ESPN, as "First Take" remains one of its highest-rated programs, averaging over 500,000 viewers daily in 2025 and driving substantial digital engagement.
Qerim's role as the poised moderator who balanced the show's high-energy debates has been credited with stabilizing the format since she took over in 2015. The timing, amid ESPN's broader talent retention efforts (e.g., Stephen A. Smith's recent five-year, $100 million+ extension), underscores potential challenges in keeping key figures amid industry shifts like cord-cutting and streaming competition.