Molly Qerim confirmed that she will temporarily pause her hosting duties on ESPN’s First Take as she takes a break to spend time with her family following the end of a busy NBA season.
The 41-year-old, announced that she is headed to an undisclosed destination to work on her tan lines and will return in “a few weeks” as she enjoys a hard-earned rest from professional sports.
Her upcoming absence is well-timed and aligns with the lull in the American sports calendar as the NBA and NHL conclude their seasons whilst the NFL is deep into its offseason. The MLS and MLB are the only major sports ongoing.
U.S. sports typically enter a quiet phase during the summer months on a seasonal pause, so sports media often use this as a chance to connect with their families and explore the world.
The ESPN network plans to reengage audiences once the NFL returns in September with the Philadelphia Eagles vs the Dallas Cowboys, followed by the 2025/26 NBA and NHL campaigns in October.
Qerim first joined ESPN in 2006 and departed in 2010, returning in 2015 after roles at CBS and NFL Network., but she has served as the full-time host of First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith since Skip Bayless left ESPN in 2016.
Bayless’s departure, followed by Shannon Sharpe’s exit from FS1 in 2023, opened the door for Qerim’s elevated role with Smith, who solidified his commitment to ESPN, signing a reported multi-year extension valued at over $100 million.
As Qerim steps away, First Take remains anchored by Smith and a rotating cast of analysts as the show continues its regular 10 a.m.-12 p.m ET. weekday broadcasts from Hudson Square.
Qerim is expected to return just as the national sports landscape shifts into high gear. She could rejoin the studio ahead of key NFL and NBA/March show developments-timed to support ESPN’s broader content strategy.
ESPN First Take prepares for new era
Qerim’s absence coincides with First Take relocating to ESPN’s cutting-edge production facility at 7 Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan as the show initiated broadcasts from the new studio on June 23, following Get Up!’s move on June 9.
The upgraded facility boasts advanced production systems designed to elevate live programming and deliver seamless synergies across the Walt Disney network as the network plans to level up its game.
“We are ready for Get Up, First Take and UnSportsmanLike to enter their 7 Hudson Square era,” ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus, said. “The space has the energy to match the bold conversations and big personalities our fans love.”
The structure, officially named the Robert A. Iger Building, opened in late 2024 and was developed by SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) to equip Manhattan with cutting-edge broadcast infrastructure.
Rising 22 stories and standing 338 feet tall, the tower encompasses roughly 1.2 million square feet of space. It accommodates a range of Disney-owned entities, including ESPN, ABC News, and WABC-TV, bringing several key operations under one roof.
Within the facility, First Take is housed in Studio 2Y, which has been crafted to resemble an upscale Manhattan penthouse, simulating sweeping skyline views, giving the set an open, urban aesthetic.
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