MOLLY Qerim and Stephen A. Smith have made their anticipated returns to First Take after a close to a month-long absence from the show.
The ESPN stars returned to the debate program, but Shannon Sharpe was not present on the show.
Qerim and Stephen A. last appeared on First Take late last month
The pair were on break from the show after the 2024-25 NBA season concluded.
But on Monday, Qerim and Smith stunningly appeared on First Take.
Smith appeared remotely while Qerim worked in the new Hudson Square studios.
Fans were ecstatic over the pair’s return to the morning show on social media.
“Glad Qerim is back,” one wrote.
“Finally,” another commented.
“That’s cool,” a third added.
Qerim was alongside star analyst and former NFL player Ryan Clark, along with other personalities, including Andrew Hawkins and Mike Tannenbaum.
However, the NFL icon Sharpe was still missing from the program.
Sharpe has been away from ESPN since April after being accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit.
The suit, filed by a woman identified only as Jane Doe, accused Sharpe of manipulation, beating, and sexual assault.
The 57-year-old Sharpe denied the accusation against him and labeled the suit as a “shakedown.”
Last Friday, it was announced by Tony Buzbee, Jane Doe’s attorney, annonuced on Instagram that his client and Sharpe acknowledged their “tumultuous relationship” and reached a mutual agreement.
“On April 20, 2025, The Buzbee Law Firm filed a complaint in Nevada making several allegations against Shannon Sharpe on behalf of our client,” Buzbee captioned his post on Friday.
“Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship.
“After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution.
“All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.”
Sharpe joined ESPN in September 2023 after he worked on FS1 for seven years[/caption]
The settlement terms haven’t been made public.
Sharpe has not publicly spoken about the settlement.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Sharpe’s attorney for comment.
