Stephen Smith Leaks Molly Qerim’s Video That Just Destroyed Her Entire Career!

What began as a normal Monday morning on First Take turned into a career-altering nightmare for Molly Qerim. On September 15, 2025, Qerim—who had spent nearly a decade moderating one of ESPN’s most-watched shows—hosted the broadcast as usual, completely unaware that it would be her last time sitting in that chair.

Later that evening, the Sports Business Journal dropped a bombshell report: Molly would be leaving ESPN at the end of 2025, with her contract negotiations having completely collapsed. Shocked and blindsided, Qerim quickly took to Instagram with a statement: “This wasn’t how I wanted this news to come out.” After 10 years with the company, the news of her departure was leaked in the most public—and humiliating—way possible.

But things escalated even further. Rather than ride out the remainder of her contract through December, Molly made a bold and unexpected move: she quit immediately. ESPN President Burke Magnus later confirmed that everything had spiraled out of control once the story leaked. “It kind of got out of our respective controls,” he admitted.

This wasn’t a farewell. It was an emergency exit, as described by former ESPN host Marcellus Wiley, who pointed out that Qerim’s decision to walk out so abruptly clearly signaled that something deeper was wrong. “It’s not just how things end. It’s why they end that way,” Wiley said, quoting his therapist. And that’s the million-dollar question.

The next morning—September 16—was one of the most uncomfortable moments in First Take history. Viewers expecting to see Molly alongside Stephen A. Smith were met with just Stephen A., sitting alone at the desk, visibly emotional.

“Last night, Molly abruptly resigned as host of the show,” Smith said. “To say I’m sad about it is an understatement.”

He called her a friend, a coworker, and someone he had leaned on for years. Yet his delivery raised eyebrows. He insisted the details were “none of your business,” while simultaneously acknowledging that the issue stemmed from contract negotiations. The contradiction sparked confusion, but what made headlines wasn’t just what Stephen A. said—it was what Molly didn’t say.

In her farewell post, she thanked the fans and the network—but she never once mentioned Stephen A. Smith by name. Not even in passing. After 10 years building one of ESPN’s most successful shows together, the omission spoke volumes.

Insiders noted this as a major red flag. Typically, outgoing hosts go out of their way to acknowledge their co-hosts. When Shannon Sharpe left Undisputed, he spent 10 minutes naming names and giving thanks. But Molly said nothing about Stephen A.

Why?

The answer may lie in the power dynamics behind the scenes. Stephen A. Smith isn’t just the star of First Take—he’s also its executive producer. That gives him influence not just on content, but also on hiring, salaries, and the show’s direction. So when Molly entered contract negotiations, she was essentially negotiating with someone who both worked beside her and had executive authority over her future.

Reports show Molly was earning around $500,000 per year, while Stephen A. was making over $20 million—40 times more. Even more frustrating was the fact that lesser-known ESPN personalities were being paid significantly more than her, despite hosting shows with lower ratings.

She wasn’t just asking for a raise—she wanted career progression. Like Max Kellerman before her, she was hoping for the chance to host her own show. Instead, she was told she could stay in the same position with no real raise—or leave.

Adding fuel to the fire, Fox Sports reportedly offered Molly a $2 million/year contract for three years, plus bonuses. But ESPN refused to match the offer or give her the platform she was asking for.

At the heart of this was a growing feeling that Molly was undervalued and undermined, and that Stephen A. Smith—whether intentionally or not—had played a role in that. And his behavior after her exit made things worse.

Just days after her resignation, Stephen A. used his podcast to deliver what many saw as a veiled criticism of Molly. He claimed he wasn’t speaking about her directly, but then launched into a monologue about contract negotiations, overvaluing yourself, and people who “forget that everybody answers to somebody.” The implication was clear: Molly had overplayed her hand.

But here’s where the hypocrisy became hard to ignore.

In 2024, Stephen A. himself had engaged in a highly public contract negotiation, demanding $25 million per year from ESPN. He went on podcasts, gave interviews, and compared himself to NFL quarterback Dak Prescott, insisting he would never apologize for knowing his worth. He even accused NBA players of trying to sabotage his negotiations. In other words, he had done everything he was now warning others not to do.

He had once been fired from ESPN over a contract dispute. He had let his own ego get in the way of a smart business decision. Yet here he was, lecturing his co-host about humility, knowing her place, and not overreaching.

Stephen A.’s comments were seen by many as a betrayal. Molly had dedicated 10 years to building the show alongside him, and now she was being subtly blamed for her own departure, painted as someone who lost perspective.

In the end, Molly’s exit wasn’t just about a failed contract negotiation. It was about inequality, power struggles, and broken trust. It was about a woman who had given a decade of her life to a network, only to be forced out without a proper farewell—and without acknowledgment from the very person who shared the desk with her for 10 years.

She didn’t just walk away. She made a statement—one that ESPN and Stephen A. Smith won’t soon forget.