Stephen A. Smith's New ESPN Role After Molly Qerim's Surprise Exit

Stephen A. Smith Joins ESPN's Monday Night Football Broadcast Team

Stephen A. Smith is set to join the broadcast team for ESPN's Monday Night Football pre-game show, working alongside Jason Kelce, Scott Van Pelt, and others. His involvement will begin in a few days, marking a significant expansion of his role at the network. Smith is expected to make at least three appearances with the crew during the NFL season, showcasing his versatility as a sports commentator.

This new development aligns with the details of Smith’s recent $100 million contract with ESPN, which was already known to include broader responsibilities beyond his current platform. The timing of his inclusion in the Monday Night Football team was simply a matter of when it would happen.

Smith recently revealed his expanded role on Thursday, according to Front Office Sports, just days after his colleague Molly Qerim announced her departure from ESPN. In an interview, Smith expressed his willingness to take on additional tasks across various ESPN platforms. "Those are just the three I know about. Knowing them at ESPN, they’ll want more," he said. "They’ll certainly want more of me on NBA Countdown. And so who knows? I mean, I’m doing First Take. But it’s ESPN."

He emphasized that no matter what ESPN asks of him, he will do whatever is needed to help the network succeed. This includes appearances on programs like SportsCenter, NBA Countdown, and NFL Countdown.

The three confirmed appearances for Smith on Monday Night Football include this week’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Ravens, as well as two other games later in the season. He will also be present for Arizona’s game against Dallas and the Eagles’ trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers in Week 14.

It remains unclear whether Smith’s expanded role will extend to Inside the NBA, which is moving from TNT to ESPN this fall. The show will feature a new lineup of Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.

Molly Qerim's Departure from 'First Take'

Molly Qerim’s sudden exit from ESPN’s 'First Take' has left many questions unanswered. While no official reason has been provided by Qerim, ESPN, or Smith, the sports commentator shared his thoughts on the situation. "To say that I’m quite sad about it is an understatement," Smith said. "Molly is a friend. Molly is a co-worker. Molly is somebody that I’ve leaned on on many occasions in the past, as she has done when it comes to me."

Their partnership on the show lasted over 10 years, and Smith described the situation as uncomfortable. "We’ve been partners on the show for the last 10 years, and a lot of times some of these things happen, and it’s just uncomfortable to see."

Smith added that the details of Qerim’s decision were not public knowledge. "The details, quite frankly, are none of y’all’ business. It’s not as if I know all the details. It was a contract negotiation that was going on. ESPN certainly did not want to lose her. But in the end, she made her decision to walk away from the show effective immediately."

What Caused the Surprise Exit?

Fans and colleagues alike are left wondering why Qerim chose to leave despite being offered a new contract. Her departure came after two decades of prominence on 'First Take,' where she played a key role in elevating the show’s popularity. The sudden nature of her exit caught many off guard, raising questions about the circumstances behind her decision.

With her departure, the future of 'First Take' now hinges on how the show adapts without one of its most recognizable voices. Smith, who has long been a staple of the program, will continue to contribute, but the loss of Qerim may mark a significant shift in the show’s dynamic.

As the sports media landscape continues to evolve, the impact of Qerim’s exit and Smith’s expanded role at ESPN will likely shape the direction of several high-profile programs. Whether the network can maintain its success without Qerim remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the world of sports broadcasting is changing.