Molly Qerim may have left the ESPN desk, but she hasn't stepped away from the game. The former First Take host turned heads this week when she posted a photo of herself rocking a New York Knicks jersey, proving her loyalty to the blue and orange is as strong as ever.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Qerim took to social media to share her playoff dilemma. “Heart is with the Knicks, but head says Sixers,” she wrote on X. “No OG and assuming Embiid gives it a shot.” Her post came just before tip-off, capturing the tension of a fan base that knows how quickly a series can shift.
Fortunately for Qerim and Knicks fans everywhere, New York found a way to grind out a win without OG Anunoby. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, pushing the Knicks to a commanding 3-0 series lead. The victory came despite Joel Embiid's absence from Game 2, and the Sixers' star big man has since faced criticism for his postgame comments after the loss.
Qerim's jersey moment is just the latest chapter in her post-ESPN life. After hosting First Take for roughly a decade, she signed off for good in September 2025, saying she created “lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories” during her tenure. “After much reflection, I've decided it's time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take,” Qerim said at the time. “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.”
While Qerim hasn't announced her next broadcasting move, speculation has been swirling. Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo suggested she left ESPN because she didn't want to work on an expiring contract. “I think she precipitated it. … I think, probably, she felt embarrassed,” Russo told the New York Post. “I didn't talk to her about the specifics of why she decided as soon as it was in the Sports Business Journal, but that's what I'm thinking — that she probably would have felt embarrassed if the world would have thought that she was a lame duck and she was still doing the show.”
Stephen A. Smith, Qerim's longtime co-host, has remained supportive but tight-lipped about the reasons behind her departure. “I miss Molly because I love Molly as a person and as a friend,” Smith said earlier this year. “I know what kind of a person she is, so because of that I don't look at her as just as a host, I don't look at her as just a colleague. We worked together for 10 years. Nobody is ever going to come say something negative to me about Molly Qerim. I will always support her because it's beyond the professional.”
For now, Qerim seems content to enjoy the playoffs from a fan's perspective. Her Knicks jersey photo has already become a talking point, adding to the growing buzz around New York's playoff run. Other celebrities have also been spotted courtside, including Kylie Jenner, whose courtside look stole the show at a Knicks-76ers game. Meanwhile, Knicks City Dancer Maddie has been turning heads with her own social media posts, proving that the team's appeal extends far beyond the court.
As the Knicks look to close out the series, Qerim's heart is clearly in the right place. Whether she returns to broadcasting before the 2026 NFL season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: she's enjoying the ride in a Knicks jersey.
