Molly Qerim abruptly left ESPN last week after a decade as the host of “First Take,” and a new theory has emerged about why she decided to resign.
Qerim was expected to part ways with ESPN when her contract expired at the end of 2025, but she opted to leave sooner. There has been speculation that she has something else lined up, which is why she wanted to become a free agent rather than finishing out her contract.
Former NFL player Marcellus Wiley, who used to work for ESPN and host “SportsNation,” shared some of his thoughts on the situation during the latest episode of his “Hydration Situation” podcast, which was released on Monday. Wiley said he was told that Qerim was “not getting what she wanted” in contract negotiations with ESPN.
What Qerim wanted, according to Wiley, was the freedom to tackle new ventures with ESPN, such as hosting her own show. Wiley said that “wasn’t happening,” so Qerim wanted a significant raise.
“So, Molly wants more money to stay on that show. ‘If I’ma stay, you’re going to have to pay me for my suffering. Or, give me some more, give me what I want, and let me go do more.’ They balked at both,” Wiley said, as transcribed by Matt Connolly of PennLive.com.
Wiley also claimed Qerim did not have a great relationship with Stephen A. Smith. The former Pro Bowl defensive lineman found it telling that Qerim has not publicly acknowledged Smith since leaving ESPN, even though she issued a statement. Wiley also believes that ESPN would have given Qerim a raise had Smith gone to bat for her.
“When he signs off on you, when he signs for you, you get what you want. But guess what, there’s a flip to it, as well. When he doesn’t sign off on you, when he doesn’t sign for you, you don’t get what you want,” Wiley said. “You’re working at a network where Mina Kimes is making way more money than you, and Mina Kimes is number what on what show? You’re No. 2 on the No. 1 show. And she is what on what shows?”
Smith insists he had a strong relationship with Qerim and addressed her departure from ESPN with an emotional farewell on the air.
One report claims Qerim has a multimillion-dollar offer from one an ESPN rival. The 41-year-old is unlikely to remain a free agent for very long.
