Stephen A. Smith SLAMS Molly Qerim After She SIGNS Huge New Deal With NBC Sports!

Stephen A. Smith has long been the undisputed kingpin of ESPN’s flagship show, First Take.

With his commanding presence, sharp commentary, and ability to dominate debates, he has become synonymous with the network itself.

But his empire took a hit when Molly Qerim, the show’s moderator for over a decade, stunned the sports world by signing a groundbreaking deal with NBC Sports.

What followed was a public unraveling of professional relationships, bruised egos, and a brewing rivalry that has everyone asking: Is Stephen A’s throne under threat?

Molly’s sudden departure wasn’t just shocking—it was unprecedented.

One day, she was hosting First Take as usual; the next, she was gone without a farewell episode, without a goodbye to fans, and with only a cryptic Instagram post marking her exit.

The abruptness of her move raised eyebrows, but it wasn’t long before whispers began circulating about her reasons for leaving.

ESPN claimed it was a matter of timing and contracts, but insiders paint a very different picture: Molly wasn’t just leaving a job; she was escaping a system.

For years, Molly Qerim was the stabilizing force on First Take.

She managed the chaos, moderated heated debates, and ensured the show’s flow remained intact.

Yet, despite her critical role, she was often overshadowed by Stephen A’s larger-than-life personality and paycheck.

While Stephen A reportedly earns $20 million a year, Molly’s salary was a fraction of that, even after carrying the show for a decade.

When ESPN started handing out lucrative deals to other talents like Malika Andrews and Shannon Sharpe, Molly reportedly felt undervalued.

And when NBC Sports came knocking with an offer that included executive producer credits, creative control, and cross-platform projects, she saw an opportunity to bet on herself—and she took it.

Stephen A’s reaction to Molly’s departure was telling.

On the surface, he appeared gracious, praising her professionalism and expressing sadness over her decision to leave.

But beneath the surface, his tone betrayed bitterness.

On his Sirius XM show, he launched into monologues about humility, leverage, and knowing your place in the industry.

While he never mentioned Molly by name, the subtext was clear: her decision to leave ESPN wasn’t just a business move—it was personal.

NBC Sports wasted no time capitalizing on Molly’s exit.

They positioned her as the centerpiece of their revamped morning programming, a direct competitor to ESPN’s daily dominance.

Reports suggest her deal is worth seven figures and includes opportunities for Olympic coverage, NFL features, and even potential late-night crossover projects.

This isn’t just a career upgrade; it’s a statement.

NBC isn’t just hiring Molly—they’re building around her, challenging ESPN’s monopoly on sports talk television.

The fallout at ESPN was immediate.

Molly’s absence left a noticeable void on First Take.

Guest moderators were rotated in, but none could replicate the chemistry she had with Stephen A or the balance she brought to the show.

Fans who once criticized Molly for interrupting debates suddenly realized how much she held the show together.

Without her, segments dragged, debates spiraled, and the energy felt off.

Meanwhile, Stephen A tried to maintain control of the narrative, but his carefully chosen words only fueled speculation about his frustration.

Behind the scenes, the drama was even more intense.

Insiders claim Stephen A felt blindsided by Molly’s departure and embarrassed by how it undermined the stability of First Take.

Some reports suggest he even hinted at his own future outside ESPN, though it’s widely believed to have been a bluff.

Still, the fact that he went there speaks to how rattled he was by Molly’s move.

For a man who prides himself on being the fixer, the kingmaker, and the face of ESPN, losing a longtime partner in such a public way was a blow to his ego.

But perhaps the most shocking aspect of this saga is the power dynamic it exposes.

For years, Stephen A has thrived in a system that revolves around him.

He’s the centerpiece of ESPN, the man who calls the shots, and the network’s highest-paid personality.

Yet Molly’s move to NBC represents a crack in that system—a shift in sports media where moderators and sidekicks are no longer content to play supporting roles.

Molly didn’t just leave ESPN; she shattered the hierarchy that kept her in Stephen A’s shadow.

NBC’s strategy is clear: they’re betting on Molly Qerim not just as a host but as a trailblazer.

They’ve given her the creative control ESPN refused to offer, the executive producer title that elevates her beyond a mere on-air personality, and the platform to build something entirely her own.

It’s a move that challenges the status quo and forces ESPN to reckon with its history of undervaluing female talent.

From Jemele Hill to Cari Champion, ESPN has a track record of sidelining women who drive ratings, and Molly’s departure only adds to that list.

As for Stephen A, his empire at ESPN remains intact—for now.

But the cracks are showing.

Molly’s new show is set to launch head-to-head against First Take, creating a ratings battle that will undoubtedly spark comparisons.

For the first time in years, Stephen A faces direct competition from someone who knows his playbook inside and out.

And while he may dismiss Molly’s move as an overreach, the reality is clear: NBC is giving her the freedom he covets, the control he’s never fully had, and the opportunity to redefine her value on her own terms.

In the end, Molly Qerim’s leap to NBC isn’t just about one person leaving a network.

It’s about a shift in the industry—a shift where the so-called sidekicks demand seats at the table, where talent refuses to be undervalued, and where the power dynamics of sports media are being rewritten.

Stephen A may have slammed Molly publicly, but in doing so, he revealed his fear: that the empire he built may not be as secure as it seems.

And Molly? She’s proving that sometimes, the boldest move you can make is to walk away.