MOLLY Qerim is known for keeping the peace and the conversations flowing live on First Take.
But the stunning sports broadcaster also plays a vital role off-camera – by preventing tensions from rising between cast and crew.
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As reported extensively by The U.S. Sun in recent months, 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, the duo of Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe are playing a “two players team game” against the rest of the team and crew.
Workers are reportedly fed up with the behavior and attitude of the pair, which is creating a huge gap and tensions inside the show.
Smith and Sharpe are seemingly doing their own thing and behaving in a way that has created a lot of tension.
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 tensions even more.
Qerim has carved out an illustrious career for herself in recent years as the moderator on First Take.
And The U.S. Sun can reveal she has proven just as adept at keeping the peace behind the scenes.
“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.”
Qerim is widely respected for repeatedly showing 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.
“She is really, our peacemaker in many situations,” the source added.
Qerim is even credited with keeping staff loyal to the show with her actions.
“She is always trying to appease, to solve situations and to create a nice vibe,” the insider said.
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.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, Sharpe recently signed a new lucrative four-year contract with the World Wide Leader.
But the duo’s efforts to secure highly-paid deals for themselves have caused huge friction with other members of the team.
“Many colleagues aren’t happy with the way [Stephen A.] has been behaving lately, pushing things for himself and Sharpe,” an insider revealed.
“…and trying to get them both the max deals and money they can get, without taking any consideration for the rest of the team and crew.
“Other journalists and crew people are really mad at him and Sharpe, as they feel like it’s a ‘two man band’ against the world, and the other people on the team are just here to do and follow what they want to do.”
Many First Take staff are now seeking new jobs elsewhere at ESPN and at different media companies, it was claimed.
‘NATURAL LEADER’
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 on the production crew added.
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“She has been like this since day one, and she has always been keeping the same approach, being the same nice and caring person.”
Qerim is known for being a team player and setting an example in how to behave towards colleagues on the set.
“She is a peacemaker, that is someone that everyone who thinks as a team respect a lot,” the source said
“She is a natural leader, someone who has respect for the whole team and crew without any difference of work or status.”
