Molly Qerim, a familiar face on ESPN’s *First Take*, recently found her career hanging by a thread after a shocking video leak by none other than Stephen A. Smith.

What started as a routine Monday morning quickly spiraled into a media frenzy that could erase the legacy she built over a decade.

Though Molly had already announced her departure from ESPN, this explosive footage threatens to rewrite everything fans thought they knew about her.

On September 15th, 2025, Molly moderated *First Take* like she had for nearly ten years, managing egos and keeping the show running smoothly.

Unaware that this would be her final day on the set, she said goodbye to viewers, not knowing the storm brewing behind the scenes.

That very evening, the *Sports Business Journal* dropped a bombshell: Molly’s contract negotiations had collapsed, and she was leaving ESPN immediately.

Imagine the shock of having private contract talks suddenly splashed across every sports media outlet.

Molly took to Instagram that night, expressing her surprise and disappointment, saying, “This wasn’t how I wanted this news to come out.”

Ten years of hard work, publicly exposed in the most humiliating way possible.

But the story took an unexpected turn.

Instead of quietly finishing out her contract at year-end, Molly made a dramatic decision to leave ESPN immediately, sending shockwaves through the network.

ESPN President Burke Magnus described it as an “emergency exit,” a move that caught everyone off guard.

Former ESPN host Marcellus Wy broke down the situation perfectly: Molly’s exit wasn’t random—it was calculated.

She wanted to make a statement, and what better way than to leave *First Take* abruptly, forcing Stephen A. Smith to host solo and spotlight her contributions?

This wasn’t just quitting; it was a bold declaration of her value and frustration.

The fallout was immediate and messy.

When Molly posted her farewell message on Instagram, she thanked fans and the show—but notably omitted any mention of Stephen A. Smith.

After ten years working side-by-side, not a single word for her longtime co-host.

This glaring omission sent a clear message to insiders: the relationship between Molly and Stephen A. was far from professional.

Behind the scenes, tensions were running high.

Molly reportedly sought a salary increase and expanded opportunities, including hosting her own show, a natural career progression many expected.

She was making around $500,000 annually, a fraction of Stephen A.’s staggering $20 million salary.

The pay gap alone was enough to fuel resentment.

While Stephen A. Smith earned 40 times more, Molly was denied meaningful raises or new roles.

ESPN essentially told her: take it or leave it.

No growth, no recognition, just a dead-end contract.

Stephen A. Smith’s role as both co-host and executive producer complicated matters further.

He had significant influence over personnel and budgets, meaning Molly was negotiating with someone who benefited from keeping her salary low.

Stephen A. often referred to *First Take* as “his show,” a claim that now feels painfully literal.

Industry insiders revealed that Stephen A.’s influence extends beyond the show, affecting contracts across ESPN.

While he helped some personalities secure better deals, Molly didn’t receive that same support.

This power imbalance made her fight for fair treatment an uphill battle.

The real shock came when Stephen A. Smith publicly commented on Molly’s departure.

Initially, he claimed not to know all the details and insisted the matter was “none of your business.”

But soon, he contradicted himself, discussing contract negotiations and suggesting Molly overvalued herself.

His comments sparked outrage.

Critics pointed out the hypocrisy: Stephen A. had made his own contract negotiations a public spectacle, demanding $25 million per year in 2024 and comparing himself to NFL quarterbacks.

Yet, he lectured Molly about humility and knowing her place.

Emanuel Acho, a respected media personality, called out Stephen A. during his podcast, urging him to protect Molly’s privacy and dignity.

Acho highlighted the harsh reality of chasing clicks at the cost of personal relationships and respect.

Stephen A.’s contract history reveals a pattern of drama and ego clashes.

In 2008-2009, he was fired after contract disputes and later admitted his ego got in the way.

He left ESPN again in 2013 after controversial comments before returning in 2014.

His 2024 negotiations were the most publicized, culminating in a $100 million-plus deal in 2025.

Despite his massive payday, Stephen A. continued to criticize others for overvaluing themselves, a stance many saw as deeply hypocritical.

His public accusations against critics trying to sabotage his deals contrast sharply with his disparaging remarks about Molly.

The story of Molly Qerim’s departure is more than just a contract dispute.

It’s a tale of power, betrayal, and hypocrisy at the highest levels of sports media.

Stephen A. Smith’s aggressive self-promotion and refusal to accept anything less than his worth stand in stark contrast to his treatment of a longtime partner.

Now, Molly is reportedly in talks with Fox Sports for a deal worth $2 million per year—quadruple her ESPN salary.

Meanwhile, Stephen A. continues to rake in millions while preaching humility to others.

The real tragedy? A decade-long partnership destroyed by greed and double standards.

Stephen A. Smith’s handling of Molly Qerim’s exit will be remembered as one of sports media’s most hypocritical episodes.

The leaked video and ensuing fallout have exposed uncomfortable truths about loyalty, respect, and the cutthroat nature of the industry.

For fans and insiders alike, this saga is a cautionary tale of what happens when power and ego collide.