Overview

• Molly Qerim announced after Monday's show that she was leaving First Take and has since departed ESPN.
• Content chief Burke Magnus said Qerim would have come off First Take at the end of the year even if she re-signed.
• Magnus described renewal talks as not totally aligned and suggested Qerim wanted to explore other opportunities.
• He cited Sports Business Journal’s initial report as the catalyst that sped up the timing of her exit.
• Stephen A. Smith is temporarily hosting while ESPN auditions mostly in-house candidates, with external options still possible.