Former NFL All-Pro defensive end Marcellus Wiley recently made bold claims about why his former ESPN colleague Molly Qerim abruptly exited the network. Wiley, who once co-hosted SportsNation with Qerim, alleges that she became frustrated with ESPN’s refusal to pay her equivalently to other female on-air talents, such as Malika Andrews and Mina Kimes, and was blocked from further opportunities.

According to Wiley, Qerim “had enough” after being denied salary increases and expanded responsibilities, including hosting her own show. He said:

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

Wiley claimed that Qerim’s annual salary was around $500,000, which he contrasted sharply with the compensation for First Take executive producer and on-air talent Stephen A. Smith, whose reported deal runs into the tens of millions. Wiley asserted that this disparity—and the perception that Smith was not advocating for her—helped fuel her decision to leave.

He added that Qerim and Smith were not on good terms internally:

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

He argued that part of the issue was that ESPN didn’t see her as delivering enough to justify a larger offer, and that Smith, in his dual capacity as co-host and executive producer, held influence over those decisions.

When reached for comment, ESPN did not immediately respond to Wiley’s allegations.

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What We Know from Other Reports & Official Statements

• Qerim announced her departure from ESPN via an Instagram Story, writing that the news “came out earlier than I intended.” She has said her time hosting First Take was “one of the greatest honors” of her career. (Wikipedia) Wikipedia

• Sports Business Journal previously reported that Qerim declined a new contract from ESPN, opting to leave when her current deal expires at the end of the year. (Wikipedia) Wikipedia

• On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith described Qerim’s departure as abrupt, noting he was unaware of her decision but confirming that contract negotiations were underway. (Wikipedia) Wikipedia

• Decider reported that ESPN plans to audition in-house talent over a 30–45 day period to find her successor on First Take. decider.com

• New York Post covered Wiley’s claims and Qerim’s exit, stating that Wiley alleges Qerim earned far less than comparable hosts like Andrews and Kimes, and that she received pushback in trying to broaden her role. New York Post