Molly Qerim Is Officially Back
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
After spending the last four months out of the spotlight, former ESPN talent Molly Qerim has landed a new media gig.
In a surprise development, Molly Qerim announced her departure from ESPN in September. She spent 10 years as the host of “First Take”, working alongside Stephen A. Smith and other notable talents.
Now, we know what’s next for Qerim. And her next gig will include a reunion with another notable former ESPN personality, who also worked on “First Take” with Smith.
According to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Qerim has been hired as the new host of Zuffa Boxing. The new boxing promotion was founded by UFC president Dana White and General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Al-Sheikh.
More from Glasspiegel:
“Qerim is slated to be the host for Zuffa Boxing, Front Office Sports has learned. Zuffa has its first event Friday at the META Apex in Las Vegas, airing on Paramount+.
Qerim will be hosting the desk with former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, insider Mike Coppinger, and longtime boxing reporter Mark Kriegel. The announce team is composed of Joe Tessitore, Max Kellerman, and former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Andre Ward. Heidi Androl, who works with UFC and NHL Network, is the ringside reporter.”
After her departure, it was reported that Qerim wanted her own show from the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Qerim reportedly would have stayed at “First Take” with a raise, but the company apparently didn’t offer one.
Molly Qerim Joins Long List Of Recent ESPN Departures
The Worldwide Leader in Sports conducted a stunning number of layoffs in 2023. This included the aforementioned Max Kellerman, legendary reporter Suzy Kolber, Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young, ex-NBA star Jalen Rose and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Disney laid off several other popular on-air talents, including Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Chelios, Joon Lee, and Todd McShay. In February of that year, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the company would cut 7,000 jobs to reduce costs.
Since 2024, Michele Steele, Zach Lowe, Elle Duncan and Molly Qerim have headed a long list of other talents to leave ESPN.
For what it’s worth, the ‘Monday Night Football’ announe team of Troy Aikman and Joe Buck signed five-year deals in 2022. They’ll be up for new contracts in 2026, unless ESPN decides their lucrative salaries are too much to continue paying.
