Controversy appears to follow ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith.
Since 2012, the 58-year-old has served as the centerpiece of the popular debate show “First Take.” After the departure of the show’s previous moderator, Molly Qerim, Smith stayed somewhat quiet until now.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Opens Up About Molly Qerim’s Departure From ‘First Take’
For 10 years, Qerim served as the moderator of ESPN’s “First Take,” introducing the topics, keep the conversation moving, asking follow-up questions, and taking the show to commercial breaks. Last September, she announced her departure from the show on Instagram.
From there, there was a lot of speculation about whether Smith had anything to do with her departure. This week, Smith joined former NFL MVP Cam Newton on his podcast, and the ESPN star discussed Qerim’s exit and whether he still speaks with her.
Cam newton asking Stephen a smith about molly qerim leaving espn and does still talk to her today pic.twitter.com/0y3TPNSKo4
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“Rarely. We’ve spoken once or twice, but we still got a lot of love for each other,” Smith admitted.
Smith is no stranger to having a hand in colleagues leaving the show. Smith has admitted that he asked management to cut ties with Max Kellerman, who replaced Skip Bayless as Smith’s foil for five years from 2016 to 2021 before ultimately departing to FS1.
“I would take full responsibility for that,” Smith said. “It was totally my fault and the reason it was my fault is because I didn’t like working with him. It’s just that damn simple. I didn’t like it. I thought the show was stale. I thought that we had flatlined when it came to the public at large.”
When it comes to Qerim, however, Smith denied any involvement in her exit.
“I was not behind that,” Smith said. “I had nothing to do with that. I love Molly. Molly is a really good friend. She was on a show with me for 10 years. We were No. 1, and she had a lot to do with that.”
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Later in the interview, Smith explained why Qerim ultimately decided to leave.
“There were times I wondered if she wanted to be there or not,” Smith said. “‘Cause she had a lot going on. It just got to a point where she was just at odds with what she wanted to do compared to what [the bosses] wanted her to do. I’m not at liberty to get into details, I’m not going to do that… But I will tell you that I miss her.”
Qerim reportedly rejected a contract offer from ESPN, and in January, she landed a new gig as the host of Zuffa Boxing on Paramount+. She reunited with Kellerman, one of the network’s lead boxing analysts.
Smith maintained that he and Qerim remain friends.
“She confided in me a lot. Our friendship only grew. I miss her. I miss her a lot,” Smith said, before adding that he wasn’t taking a shot at Qerim’s replacement, Shae Cornette. “That’s no shade at Shae. I’m not even talking about work because Shae is legit; Shae is the real deal. But I’m getting to know Shae, where I’ve known Molly for over 11 years. I’m glad that she’s doing her thing with Zuffa Boxing; there’s a lot more that she can do.”
