Fact check: Did Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim secretly date during ESPN's 'First Take'? Viral podcast claims explained

For a long time, Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith were the co-hosts of ESPN's First Take until, in late 2025, Qerim surprised everyone with her resignation over alleged contract issues. On the other hand, even though Smith had secured a huge deal, reportedly, he felt undervalued. He further claimed that he was surprised with the sudden exit.

Following this, there were rumours that the exit had to happen because Smith was reportedly dating Qerim while they were on the show. Now recently. American comedian and radio host Corey Holcomb made waves after claiming that he believes that during their time together at ESPN, Smith and Qerim had a relationship.

Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim dating rumors resurface following controversial podcast comments

During his podcast, CoreyHolcomb5150Land on YouTube, claiming that Smith and Qerim reportedly dated during their time on the show, Holcomb said:

“He got to be f**king that b**ch. Because nobody would tolerate Molly. Molly is an awful person. Awful.”

He continued:

“I think Stephen A. Smith is smashing Molly because why would somebody be around a woman as draining as that? He had to watch how he talked on the show. Well, obviously she had some pool. She did this to them…”

Further talking about Smith and expressing his reported dislike towards him, he said:

“Stephen A. Smith is a cornball sellout. They used to have a dude on ESPN who was a guy everybody loved… Stuart Scott. But now ESPN has replaced Stuart Scott, with a boy. You can't be around Stephen A. Smith without checking him after a while.. All the guys on the show, you can tell they want to check them. How did she last that long around Stephen A. Smith?”




He further added:

“Only reason she left cuz they still ain't pay her enough money where she could boast. She still had a car note with her check… That's Jaylen's ex-wife… Yes. They had a brief marriage almost. Cuz Jaylen Rose started working on ESPN. was shocked that he really thought that Molly was standing on something about something and then they got divorced shortly after that. They announced they weren't married on the show…”

For context, Molly Qerim and Jalen Rose, a former NBA player and ESPN analyst, were married from 2018 to 2021. They separated after roughly a year, expressing a shared decision to stay friends and coworkers. Now, the whole thing gave rise to the rumor that Smith and Molly were dating and that she was having an affair with him.

However, no sources had confirmed it. According to reports, they were merely coworkers on ESPN's First Take. Additionally, time and again, both have officially refuted relationship rumours. She even referred to the whole thing as "ridiculous" and unfounded.

Stephen A. Smith has previously shut down long-running dating rumors with Molly Qerim

This wasn’t the first time the rumor surfaced on the internet. In April 2024, Smith refuted the rumor that he and Qerim were dating. It resurfaced when another host, Chris Russo, pointed out that Qerim and Smith were both wearing white. He jokingly remarked that they appeared to be a married couple because of their similar color clothing.

The ESPN broadcaster then set the record straight that "there's nothing going on" between him and Qerim. He further confirmed that the relationship rumours were unfounded and overstated, adding that these rumors had been around for a few years. He said:

“Here’s the upside to all of that: they know my taste. So, therefore, they know that’s a compliment to her. And, obviously, she has great taste as well, so I guess that’s America’s way of saying we both really really look good.”

Qerim backed him up, saying that she found it hilarious that people were taking these romance rumors seriously.


Also read: Was Stephen A. Smith fired from ESPN? Unexpected twist set to reshape ESPN’s iconic NBA Countdown’s future