Molly Qerim preventing First Take becoming ‘war zone’ behind the scenes as Stephen A. Smith tensions rise again

MOVE over Red Cross, here comes Molly Qerim.

First Take is in danger of becoming a “war zone” behind the scenes due to rising tensions between cast and crew, The U.S. Sun can reveal.

ESPN/First Take

ESPN

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Wise Owl for The U.S. Sun

But Qerim is playing the role of peacemaker – both in front of and behind the camera – to keep the ESPN debate show a huge success.

There is a heated environment backstage at the daily ESPN debate show , with staff and on-air talent not seeing eye-to-eye.

According to an insider, workers are reportedly fed up with the behavior and attitude of Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe , which is creating a huge gap and tensions inside the show.

Meanwhile, there is a feeling that Chris “Mad Dog” Russo is taking Stephen A.’s side behind the scenes, which has only served to inflame bad feelings even more.

And First Take would be a “war zone” were it not for Qerim’s efforts to keep the peace , per one person who works in production on the show.

“Molly saved a lot of situations that were very tense that could have gotten worse,” says the insider.

“Some tensions could have gotten really bad, and she helped calm them down.

“If she wasn’t here, I don’t know how it would be, probably a war zone because of all those tensions and disagreements.

“She is a peacemaker, that is someone that everyone who thinks as a team respect a lot.”

Qerim repeatedly shows support and appreciation to the whole team and crew.

The First Take host also works hard in getting individuals to resolve their issues as adults by talking to each other.

“The tensions in the show are in all-time high, and a lot of people are fed up and tense, not feeling that that it’s a ‘family’ or not having a great experience working on that show for quite a while now,” a journalist on First Take revealed.

“Tensions are at an high, mostly because of Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe, and also with Chris Russo that is showing his true colors lately.

“But we are lucky to have someone like Molly Qerim to play an important role on not having the whole show explode or the whole work space being a war zone in a way.”

First Take viewing figures

First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.

The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.

Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.

The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.

First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.

Notably, Qerim has been known to stand up to the powerful duo of Stephen A. and Sharpe if she thinks they are stepping out of line.

“She is a very strong woman, a woman that knows what she wants and that doesn’t back down when Stephen A. or Shannon are being too much, are being too attacking or trying to make the situation even more tense than what it is already,” an insider revealed.

Stephen A. and Sharpe have upset many First Take crew members amid high-stakes contract talks .

Stephen A., whose current deal with ESPN expires in 2025, is seeking an annual salary of $25 million, making him the highest-paid pundit on the network.

Molly Qerim's life in the spotlight

Molly Qerim has risen through the ranks to become one of the biggest stars at ESPN.

The popular sports host began her media career in 2006 with ESPN and spent four years with the network.

She then covered college basketball and football for CBS Sports Network in New York.

Qerim balanced that with hosting duties for NFL Network in Los Angeles – fronting NFLAM and NFL Fantasy Live.

The host returned to ESPN in 2015 and immediately took the role of First Take anchor.

And Qerim has been an ever-present, popular host of the daily sports debate show ever since.

Meanwhile, Sharpe recently signed a new lucrative four-year contract with the World Wide Leader of Sports.

But the duo’s efforts to secure highly-paid deals for themselves have caused huge friction among other members of the team.

In response, Qerim has been praised for her leadership skills by preventing a tense workplace from getting out of hand.

“She is someone who cares about people, and that doesn’t like people being treated badly or disrespected,” a source added.

“She is a natural leader, someone who has respect for the whole team and crew without any difference of work or status.”

ESPN/First Take