There’s a shakeup at “First Take.”
Molly Qerim is leaving the ESPN morning show after a decade as its host, she confirmed Tuesday.
“Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Qerim wrote on social media. “Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate, and entertaining voices in sports — and with all of you, the best fans in the world.”
Qerim, 41, did not announce what’s next, but she did encourage viewers to “stay tuned.” ESPN has not named a replacement.
Tuesday’s announcement came hours after the Sports Business Journal reported Qerim had declined a contract offer and would be leaving ESPN at the end of the year.
Qerim did not disclose a timeline in her statement, though she acknowledged that the news of her departure “came out earlier than I intended, and not in the way I hoped.”
She was not present for Tuesday’s episode of “First Take,” which began with Stephen A. Smith paying tribute to Qerim.
“She’s hosted ‘First Take’ for 10 years and elevated the show with her grace, her expertise, her incomparable kindness,” Smith said. “She’s been an enormous part of our success for a decade. Not only did she keep me and many others in line, she did it with dignity, class and kindness, to say the least. We’ll miss her.”
Qerim, who was born in New Haven, Conn., debuted on “First Take” in 2015, back when Smith’s counterpart on the show was Skip Bayless.
She remained a constant alongside Smith over the years as the show employed different analysts, including Max Kellerman and, more recently, Shannon Sharpe. ESPN cut ties with Sharpe earlier this year after he settled a lawsuit in which an ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual assault.
Qerim has been the longest-tenured host of “First Take,” with Jay Crawford, Dana Jacobson, Reischea Canidate and Cari Champion among those who preceded her.
“Molly has been an integral part of ESPN since 2006 and a key driver of First Take’s success since joining as host a decade ago,” Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of content, said in a statement.
“She elevated the show with her poise, skill and professionalism, while supporting others as a kind and encouraging teammate. We respect Molly’s decision, wish her the best in the future, and thank her for her extraordinary daily commitment to sports fans and ESPN.”