Stephen A Smith Just LEAKED Molly Qerim’s New Footage That Made Her LEAVE ESPN!

You don’t just wake up and be Stephen A. — it takes work, and in the end, we all have people to answer to. Stephen A. Smith has publicly called out former First Take host Molly Karum after a bitter dispute that resulted in her sudden resignation. He says she’s got baggage too — and now he’s laying it all bare.

On September 16, 2025, the sports media world was stunned when Molly Karum — longtime host of ESPN’s flagship morning show First Take — abruptly departed. What had been expected to be a standard contract renewal through December became one of ESPN’s most dramatic exits in recent memory. Fans, colleagues, and media insiders scrambled to figure out what really happened behind closed doors.

Just one day before, on September 15th, Karum had been her routine, composed self — moderating heated debates between Stephen A. and their rotating analysts — with nobody suspecting anything was amiss. Then, the first domino fell: Sports Business Journal reported that contract negotiations had failed, making her departure imminent. The timing of that leak proved critical, and ESPN President Burke Magnus later revealed that it forced what should have been a gradual transition into an abrupt exit.

When the next morning’s broadcast rolled around, Molly was nowhere to be found on set. Instead, the viewers were met with a visibly emotional Stephen A. Smith, who opened the show with one of the most heartfelt tributes in the program’s history. He called Molly a friend and partner, saying he had leaned on her many times over the past decade — but the tone of his speech revealed just how shaken he was.

Stephen A even compared her exit to LeBron leaving Cleveland — a metaphor that underlined how deeply Karum had become woven into the show’s identity. That morning, instead of appearing on set, Karum posted a carefully worded statement on Instagram:

“After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter. The news came out earlier than I intended and not in the way I hoped. I’m forever grateful to ESPN, my colleagues, and the fans.”

To observers, what Karum didn’t say was as interesting as what she did. There was no mention of Stephen A., nothing about the nature of the dispute — just a graceful, minimal farewell. Meanwhile, ESPN rushed to respond. Magnus praised her professionalism and her contribution to the show but also admitted that the plan had been for her to remain through December, so her sudden exit was a surprise to everyone.

On his Sirius XM show, Stephen A. tried to walk a tightrope — expressing emotion, claiming he had insight, yet refusing to disclose specifics. “It came as a shock — I was not aware that this is something she was contemplating doing,” he said. He later added, “Do I have an idea? Of course I do. Am I going to share it with you? No — again, that’s her story to tell.” His veiled remarks, teetering between vulnerability and restraint, only stoked rumors.

Karum’s departure had an immediate effect: First Take saw an 8% ratings dip, reminding ESPN just how integral she had been to its chemistry. Many industry watchers stressed her role was far more than a moderation function — she had evolved into a co‑host who could balance strong personalities, keep debates grounded, and contribute meaningfully to the content. Without her, the show’s structure felt vulnerable.

The financial backdrop may have played a big role too. In 2025, ESPN faced mounting pressure to cut costs. Meanwhile, Stephen A. had reportedly signed a massive 5‑year extension in 2024, rumored to be worth tens of millions. In contrast, Karum’s salary was believed to be far lower, sparking speculation about inequity behind the scenes. Some insiders claimed she had pushed for a larger salary and expanded roles — perhaps anchoring SportsCenter or contributing across ESPN platforms — but that the network balked at meeting her demands.

One particularly telling point: Stephen A. serves as an executive producer on First Take, which gives him influence over budgets and personnel decisions. Some analysts believe that position may have given him significant leverage in Karum’s contract talks. When Karum asked for more, the network may have struggled to satisfy her without upsetting established power dynamics.

Over time, rumors began circulating about growing tension between Karum and Stephen A. Anecdotes surfaced about on‑air moments of friction. In October 2023, for example, Stephen A. made a remark about Karum’s makeup — which at the time was dismissed as an awkward quip, but in hindsight some see it as symptomatic of deeper discord.

The timing of the Sports Business Journal leak is also now viewed as a strategic move — a pressure tactic to force both sides into a public position, making a private resolution far more difficult. Once things were in the open, it became much harder to manage a slow exit.

Karum’s departure was not just the loss of a broadcaster; it represented the breakup of a carefully calibrated chemistry that took years to build. It also put ESPN in a bind: how do you replace someone so central to your most successful show?

As the dust settles, this first chapter of the Molly Karum exit drama has established a narrative far more compelling than a typical contract dispute. The mix of leaked reports, cryptic statements, emotional on-air moments, and public speculation suggests deeper currents at play — motives tied to power, fairness, and the hidden dynamics behind the scenes in sports media.