Molly Qerim's 'Insulting' Salary At ESPN Has Leaked Online

[ViCiouS]

Molly Qerim's 'Insulting' Salary At ESPN Has Leaked Online

Molly Qerim, the longtime host of "First Take," abruptly left the network back in September.The University of Connecticut graduate was reportedly not happy with her state of contract negotiations. Rather than sticking it out at "First Take," which she has hosted since 2015, she chose to leave.In ...

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Molly Qerim's 'Insulting' Salary At ESPN Has Leaked Online​

• Molly Qerim, the longtime host of "First Take," abruptly left the network back in September.
• The University of Connecticut graduate was reportedly not happy with her state of contract negotiations. Rather than sticking it out at "First Take," which she has hosted since 2015, she chose to leave.
• In the wake of her departure, Qerim's "insulting" salary at the network has leaked online.

Molly Qerim's "insulting" salary at ESPN has leaked online in the wake of her departure from the network.

The University of Connecticut graduate abruptly left ESPN in September. She announced on Tuesday morning, September 16 that she had done her final show. ESPN confirmed her departure with a statement.

"After much reflection, I've decided it's time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take. Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate and entertaining voices in sports - and with all of you, the best fans in the world," she wrote on her Instagram Story.

"I'm so grateful for what this journey has given me: lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and the chance to be part of something truly special."

ESPN was disappointed by the departure.

"Molly has been an integral part of ESPN since 2006 and a key driver of 'First Take' success since joining as host a decade ago. She elevated the show with her poise, skill and professionalism, while supporting others as a kind and encouraging teammate. We respect Molly's decision, wish her the best in the future, and thank her for her extraordinary daily commitment to sports fans and ESPN," ESPN president Burke Magnus said in a statement.


Molly Qerim on First Take.ESPN.
Sports media insiders believe that contract negotiations played a role in her departure.

While someone like Stephen A. Smith is making north of $20 million per year, according to The Athletic, Qerim was making far, far less, according to a former ESPN colleague.

Qerim's salary at ESPN before her exit​

According to former NFL All-Pro defensive end Marcellus Wiley, who worked at ESPN from 2007 until 2018, Qerim wanted to make as much as some of the network's other top female talents, like Malika Andrews and Mina Kimes, who are making seven figures.

“Molly wanted to do other things at the network, which included hosting her own show,” Wiley said. “… They weren’t signing off on her, not only hosting another show, but doing other shows within the network.”

Qerim was ultimately making around $500,000 per yer at ESPN - certainly a good salary for 99 percent of Americans, but in sports media, she felt insulted.

“… Reportedly, she’s making around half a million dollars a year. Now contrast that to $20 million a year for Stephen A. Smith, and he’s number one on the show, and you’re number two on the show, you could feel a certain type of way,” Wiley said.

“But hey, you got to only eat what you kill, and they didn’t feel like she was killing it to the point where they would make her a better offer. And when I say we, I’m not just talking about Burke Magnus, [ESPN’s president of content], I’m not just talking about all of the other bosses… I’m talking about Smith as well, because remember, he’s an executive producer on that show and as he will always remind you that’s his show.”

Wiley added that Smith and Qerim, who worked together for a decade, “weren’t cool with each other.”

Smith, speaking on his SiriusXM show, explained that Qerim resigned from the network abruptly, adding that ESPN did not want to lose her.

 

[EPDC]

......if Stephen A is making $20 million a year and they offered her "only" $500K....yeah I'd take that as an insult as well, especially considering how long she's been at the network and on the show.

No she isn't the draw for the show (outside of eye candy) but I'd be insulted to not be offered at least $1 million if the top earner on the show is at $20 million.

 

[OutlawR.O.C.]

......if Stephen A is making $20 million a year and they offered her "only" $500K....yeah I'd take that as an insult as well, especially considering how long she's been at the network and on the show.

No she isn't the draw for the show (outside of eye candy) but I'd be insulted to not be offered at least $1 million if the top earner on the show is at $20 million.

She should be paid $25 million per year for having to sit next to and listen to that loud asshole.

 

[ViCiouS]

......if Stephen A is making $20 million a year and they offered her "only" $500K....yeah I'd take that as an insult as well, especially considering how long she's been at the network and on the show.

No she isn't the draw for the show (outside of eye candy) but I'd be insulted to not be offered at least $1 million if the top earner on the show is at $20 million.

SAS get $20 million for ALL of his work at ESPN - not just First Take - its radio shows, podcast, all appearances across ESPN and ABC Sports

 

[xfactor]

She isn’t worth it. Maybe $1M but nothing more. Andrews and Kimes bring more to the table. Also, she was married to Jalen Rose. Andrews and Kimes are married to cacs. For women, that matters heavily in the entertainment industry.

 

[knightmelodic]

sas is a punk ass bitch. always has been but the comparing salaries game is always a losing strategy.

Having said that, she ain't no walk in the park either. And Father Time is undefeated; her looks won't last forever. finding the next bimbo to repeat what's said into her earpiece is easy-peasy

 

[OutlawR.O.C.]

sas is a punk ass bitch. always has been but the comparing salaries game is always a losing strategy.

Having said that, she ain't no walk in the park either. And Father Time is undefeated; her looks won't last forever. finding the next bimbo to repeat what's said into her earpiece is easy-peasy

No doubt but a disparity like that means your employer feels you add nothing to the show which seems to be a pattern when it comes to SAS's co-hosts.

 

[slewdem100]

Tough one...I get why she felt insulted by the pay but thats the reality for the majority of the work force...hopefully the next gig pays her more

She may have made enough that she could afford to walk away over the relative "insult"

 

[EPDC]

SAS get $20 million for ALL of his work at ESPN - not just First Take - its radio shows, podcast, all appearances across ESPN and ABC Sports

And she wanted to do MORE work and get paid similar to her contemporaries at the network.

Qerim wanted to make as much as some of the network's other top female talents, like Malika Andrews and Mina Kimes, who are making seven figures.
"Molly wanted to do other things at the network, which included hosting her own show,”

Come on now, she wasn't asking for SAS money. Disney could have cut her a check to make her happy.

 

[World B Free]

She didn't any leverage so when you don't have leverage then you get what you get......

 

[REDLINE]

She'd still be there if SAS wanted her there.

 

[ViCiouS]

And she wanted to do MORE work and get paid similar to her contemporaries at the network.

I don't want to defend this but there is a lesson here

in some ways SAS created his lane -
one was starting his own pod independent of ESPN - as it succeeded then ESPN bought in to it

now you can take this part with a grain of salt cause I got it from someone not media reporting:

before SAS negotiated his $10 million deal with ESPN - he went into ESPN radio for minimum $ but negotiated ratings / ad revenue based bonuses

IMO almost all on air talent at ESPN are varyingly underpaid - but SAS would have a $30-$40 million contract at ESPN if he was melanin deficient

shit if SAS was white, he might be Ryan Seacrest

 

[christop]

That moderator position has zero leverage. They replaced it many times.

 

[APOPHIS]

She played her hand and lost. That gender equality mindset will keep you broke.
FAFO.

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

The Law and Order guy stood on business back in the day. I don’t begrudge anyone demanding more because we all know Capital would do ungodly things to collect their rents.

 

[dugington]

sas is a punk ass bitch. always has been but the comparing salaries game is always a losing strategy.

Having said that, she ain't no walk in the park either. And Father Time is undefeated; her looks won't last forever. finding the next bimbo to repeat what's said into her earpiece is easy-peasy

This

That moderator position has zero leverage. They replaced it many times.

And this

 

[christop]

This

And this

It's also a really easy job with all due respect. I would have kept getting that 500k as long as possible lol.

 

[RUDY RAYYY MO]

......if Stephen A is making $20 million a year and they offered her "only" $500K....yeah I'd take that as an insult as well, especially considering how long she's been at the network and on the show.

No she isn't the draw for the show (outside of eye candy) but I'd be insulted to not be offered at least $1 million if the top earner on the show is at $20 million.

At least a million or two

 

[RUDY RAYYY MO]

SAS get $20 million for ALL of his work at ESPN - not just First Take - its radio shows, podcast, all appearances across ESPN and ABC Sports

I hate the coon but you're right

 

[D'Evils]

That moderator position has zero leverage. They replaced it many times.

Yeah .. Never understood why she wasn't doing NFL coverage like she originally did with NFL Network... Maybe expand to NBA or WNBA

She could have easily been doing expanded player interviews from First Take to NFL Game days or NBA/WNBA Pre Games...

 

[christop]

Yeah .. Never understood why she wasn't doing NFL coverage like she originally did with NFL Network... Maybe expand to NBA or WNBA

She could have easily been doing expanded player interviews from First Take to NFL Game days or NBA/WNBA Pre Games...

I mean I'm not mad at her keeping that position for so long. It's good pay and high profile. However you basically just read a teleprompter and stop topics so you can move on to other topics lol, and take the show to break.

 

[D'Evils]

 

[durham]

All she did was wear some form.fitting clothes, and pass the cards from left to right and back again. Good luck trying to become Megan Kelley

ANY trained journalist will take that gig for $500,000. She played herself

 

[Coldchi]

OF is just one click away...................just sayin.
$20 million aint shit if she just gone head and buss that thang open on the Fan......

 

[dugington]

All she did was wear some form.fitting clothes, and pass the cards from left to right and back again. Good luck trying to become Megan Kelley

ANY trained journalist will take that gig for $500,000. She played herself

Modern entitlement is at peak levels of delusion.

Even doordash drivers somehow forgot that they're basically just delivery boys.

 

[Flawless]

Can't negotiate a higher salary if she cant blackmail the producer?

 

[Deezz]

She'd still be there if SAS wanted her there.

End of story!

 

[DC_Dude]

sas is a punk ass bitch. always has been but the comparing salaries game is always a losing strategy.

Having said that, she ain't no walk in the park either. And Father Time is undefeated; her looks won't last forever. finding the next bimbo to repeat what's said into her earpiece is easy-peasy

 

[D'Evils]

ESPN probably lowballed her on purpose so they could revamp the show since they fired Shannon...

They get to cut out 2 high salaries....

Truthfully the show/format really doesn't need a moderator....

For 25 mil a year .. Make SAS host that shit too...

 

[XXXplosive]

$500k doesn't go as far as you would think living in NYC/Connecticut, but with that being said she should be grateful to be making that much.
Pretty much any other half intelligent chick could do her job and be happy with that salary.
As long as they don't hire that Kimberly chick, I'm fine with whoever they hire to replace her.

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

All she did was wear some form.fitting clothes, and pass the cards from left to right and back again. Good luck trying to become Megan Kelley

ANY trained journalist will take that gig for $500,000. She played herself

Do you see what’s happening to Bill Belichick?

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

$500k doesn't go as far as you would think living in NYC/Connecticut, but with that being said she should be grateful to be making that much.
Pretty much any other half intelligent chick could do her job and be happy with that salary.
As long as they don't hire that Kimberly chick, I'm fine with whoever they hire to replace her.

No they won’t.

 

[illdog]

Reminds me of other chicks/folks...that have a highly over-valued opinion of their worth in the market place...

 

[0utsyder]

......if Stephen A is making $20 million a year and they offered her "only" $500K....yeah I'd take that as an insult as well, especially considering how long she's been at the network and on the show.

No she isn't the draw for the show (outside of eye candy) but I'd be insulted to not be offered at least $1 million if the top earner on the show is at $20 million.

Okay, I am not the only one! Not using the SAS as a measure cause she obviously ain't Smith, but 500k for on air talent is WILD!!! Like that seems normal for a person that you've never heard of and this is the first time getting an on air job, but being there for 20 years?!?!? What did she start at?

 

[dtownsfinest]

......if Stephen A is making $20 million a year and they offered her "only" $500K....yeah I'd take that as an insult as well, especially considering how long she's been at the network and on the show.

No she isn't the draw for the show (outside of eye candy) but I'd be insulted to not be offered at least $1 million if the top earner on the show is at $20 million.

People watch that shit for her? Stephen A works 100xs more than her.


She does nothing and she’s boring. Doesn’t know shit about what they ask of her. I would’ve offered her 100k. This new chic on here is already better. She fumbled. Unless she gonna do Onlyfans.