ESPN have reached a decision regarding Molly Qerim’s replacement at First Take.
Qerim, 41, quit First Take on Tuesday after a decade hosting the ESPN daily show.
The popular presenter announced her shock departure on social media after news of the move leaked.
ESPN president of content Burke Magnus has now revealed the show will be auditioning potential replacements over the course of the next month, and potentially longer.
Magnus told The Athletic: “While we knew we were going to make a change — her deal ran through the end of the year — we were more focused on that timeline.
“So we’re going to take probably about 30 to 45 days to try a variety of in-house people because we can do that on the show. Then we’ll make a decision shortly after that.”
Magnus also confirmed Qerim would have left First Take at the end of the year even if she had re-signed with ESPN.
And the content chief stated her exit came down to a matter of their contract negotiations falling apart.
Stephen A. Smith has taken over as the show’s temporary host while ESPN figure out their next move.
While a potential external hire is being touted, it seems more likely that First Take‘s next full-time host will be someone who’s already at ESPN.
And a number of obvious candidates already stand out for the esteemed role.
That includes Shae Cornette, Christine Williamson, Courtney Cronin and Monica McNutt.
It is unsure whether Qerim will return to ESPN before her contract expires in the summer.
