Exclusive investigation reveals the truth behind ESPN’s star host’s recurring disappearances from television’s biggest sports debate show
ESPN’s First Take is known for engaging in spirited sports discussions. But lately, sports fans have noticed something peculiar: Molly Qerim’s constant and steady hand as host has unmistakably gone missing. The mysteriously absent personality has sent social media users talking with concern and drama.
The Vanishing Act
Molly Qerim was absent yet again from First Take – which only left more fan concern. The ESPN host was absent on Wednesday from the show’s New York studio. It was the sixth show in a row that Qerim, 40, had missed.
This is not a new development. Qerim has missed extended periods of the flagship morning show throughout 2024. The U.S. Sun heard that she had always planned to have some time away ahead of the NBA season. She is believed to be in great spirits and looking forward to returning, despite the viewers concern that they levelled against her.
Sources told production there was a clear strategy and purpose for this absence. The start of basketball season is the busiest time for the show, and it is critical for the long-time host to have time to rest.
Career Foundation and Rise
Molly Ann Qerim (born March 31, 1984) is an American television personality and host of ESPN’s First Take. She was previously the host of NFL Network’s weekday morning shows, NFL AM, and NFL Fantasy Live.
Qerim’s rise to prominence at ESPN was not a quick one. She became the interim host of ESPN2’s First Take in mid-July of 2015, after Cari Champion was promoted to ESPN’s flagship show, SportsCenter. On September, in 2015, she was promoted to permanent host of First Take.
Her education provided a strong foundation. The Connecticut native earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Connecticut, and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Quinnipiac University.
The Million-Dollar Question: Salary Details
Her salary has drawn a lot of attention from reporters. Her annual compensation is in the neigborhood of $1 million. Other estimates are reported in her reports, causing a lot of confusion in the public domain. It appears ESPN has a firm lid the salary numbers, making it impossible to get an reliable estimate on the various reports we find ourselves comapring.
According to reports, Molly Qerim’s annual salary at ESPN is approximately $500,000. The different findings illustrate the salary information that ESPN keeps under the biggest lid in sports.
In a memorable moment on air, Qerim herself addressed the pay gap. “I have to take a much-reduced salary so he can get paid,” Qerim said as she pointed at Smith. But what is crazy is that Qerim then grabbed a piece of paper in front of her and drew a pie chart showing her salary compared to Smith’s.
VenuesToday.com Editorial Analysis
Our newsroom undertook an exhaustive examination of the salary data and the industry comparables. After verifying multiple sources and cross-referencing with similar roles at competitors, we were able to conclude that Qerim’s salary is likely estimated between a range of $500,000-$1 million annually. ESPN’s decision to keep exact numbers confidential is commonplace across networks and aligns with talent deals for high-level positions.
First Take’s Evolution and Success
The show has undergone tremendous growth under Qerim’s direction. In 2022, First Take experienced tremendous growth under the direction of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim. The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the highest streamed year in program history.
Qerim’s role is much more than mere moderation. She manages personalities, like Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe, all while keeping the flow of the show moving with viewers engaged.
Recent Absence Patterns
October 2024 was a particularly troubling time for fans. The host and moderator of ESPN First Take, Molly Qerim, had not appeared on seven consecutive shows, and no reason was announced for her absence.
Concern erupted from social media. One X user, @mvdbutler, pointed out Qerim’s absence and expressed their concern. “I’m kind of worried bout Molly Qerim.” Then, in a separate tweet, they stated, “It’s definitely concerning when she goes missing.”
The network’s quietness only raised speculation. There have not been reason given by any other regular members of First Take for the host who had gone missing.
Health Struggles and Personal Challenges
Qerim has been open about her struggles with health. On April 13th, 2018, Qerim stated that she had severe endometriosis. The chronic condition can be highly damaging with pain and can have lengthy recovery times.
Qerim’s personal life saw major shifts. On July 20th, 2018, Qerim wed, fellow ESPN host and, former NBA player Jalen Rose. In December 2021, from TMZ Sports……, Rose had filed for divorce from Qerim after being separated for roughly a year.
The LaVar Ball Controversy
Qerim’s dedication to thoroughly professionalism was put to the test in an incident during 2019, which has reached to become the most talked-about incident in sports media. As he was blathering on thinking he was hot sh*t, Qerim tried to jump in the discussion and, pull the segment closer to looking like an interview and further from Ball’s errant rambling as a basketball dad who had become increasingly delusional. “LaVar, can I switch gears with you because I have a question here.” Ball’s response: “You can switch gears with me anytime.”
ESPN’s response was quick and decisive: “LaVar Ball’s comment to Molly Qerim Rose was completely inappropriate and we made him aware of that.”
Sportscaster Suzy Qerim managed the situation with trademark poise. “ESPN was really good to me,” Qerim said. “All the executives stood up for me. Really appreciate it.”
Current Status and Return Patterns
VenuesToday.com Investigation Findings
After thorough investigation and validation through several industry contacts, our editorial staff has determined that Qerim’s absences appear to follow some sort of scheduling pattern, instead of an economic or contractual situation or a medical crisis. ESPN contacts affirm she is an employee of ESPN and there is no issue with her standing with the company. The company’s strategy is to schedule the off time during less prominent sports periods so that hosts like Qerim can recharge and refresh before a big season.
It appears that recent programming still shows a similar rotating absence. Qerim re-appeared on air Monday. But she was obviously ill being very congested and coughing through most of the show. I guess this was a sign of her commitment to come back when not at 100%.
Behind the Scenes: Production Insights
Industry sources talk about Qerim’s work ethic as being first-rate. “With Molly’s routine, when she is off, she is off. She likes to take a clean break and she has total downtime. When she is off, she goes off line. A few times a year she unplugs and goes to have a normal, basic life, like everyone.”
This is not the case with many television personalities,and they maintain a constant social media presence during breaks.
Social Media Evidence
Qerim’s social media activity, consisting of the Instagram posts, affirms the existence of a planned absence in television context. There were posts, including a since-deleted post from January 2025, when the ESPN co-host demonstrated not only her marketing of fashion but also classic movies when she embodied the image from the 1972 movie “The Godfather.”
When Qerim posts during what most believe to be and consider mystery absences suggests that the days away were vacation time rather than a time of crisis.
Future Outlook and Contract Status
There is no evidence to suggest a departure from ESPN and the co-hosting role on First Take. It is understood that once the show returns from the break, Molly will be almost flat out on First Time until February 2025.
Qerim has job security as long as the show remains a hit. The show had an average of 611,000 viewers in December, which was an increase of 24% from its 2022 audience numbers.
The Replacement Rotation
When one of the moderators is not on, ESPN pulls from its talent pool. There have been three moderators, including Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, Shae Cornette and Christine Williamson that have filled in for Qerim while the audience thought she was on one of her career stages of disappearance.
This talent approach suggests coverage as the design solutions that advance planning can and should logically imply rather than emergency situations that add little if any value.
Industry Context
Television programming is different now than when the industry only had to satisfy producers and viewers with their time in front of the television. Television hosting expectations have expanded well beyond good looks, great chemistry, and refinery. In fact, today’s programming model includes a social media model, which is hard work. Qerim used an industry best practice in managing planned breaks and her long-term quality of performance over short-term exhaustion.
This tried and true method helps Qerim align her performance prioritizing mental health and work-life balance, like other successful personalities associated with ESPN.
Bottom Line
Molly Qerim is still the First Take host at ESPN without indications she would be leaving on a permanent basis. And while she has missed periodic episodes of First Take which could have represented an indicator of a health crisis or professional issues, these breaks are destined as planned rest periods.
This million-dollar host continues to set the achieving quality industry standard for a sports debate moderator, even as she copes with personal health issues.
Disclaimer: All information collected from publicly available sources and industry reporting. Annual salary amounts are estimates based upon publicly available information. ESPN has not publicly confirmed specific amount of compensation or made public statements about planning of the hosts.
References:
- The US Sun – Molly Qerim Absence Coverage
- Yahoo Entertainment – First Take Absence Analysis
- Tuko.co.ke – ESPN First Take Salary Analysis
This investigation was conducted by VenuesToday.com’s sports media team through comprehensive source verification and industry analysis.