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15h ago

ESPN Details Molly Qerim’s Sudden ‘First Take’ Exit as 30–45 Day Host Tryouts Begin

Content chief Burke Magnus says external reporting hastened a separation that had been slated for her contract’s end.

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Overview

  • Burke Magnus told The Athletic that the timing was unexpected after a Sports Business Journal report prompted Qerim’s social post and took the process out of their control.
  • Magnus said both sides had agreed she would come off First Take when her deal ended this year, with plans to shift her to other projects.
  • ESPN sought to keep Qerim in a broader role, but Magnus said the parties were not aligned and opted for a clean break.
  • Stephen A. Smith has been hosting the show since Tuesday as ESPN conducts on-air auditions over the next 30–45 days to choose a permanent host.
  • Qerim announced her departure on Instagram, saying the news surfaced earlier than she intended, after reports she declined a renewal and would leave at year’s end.