In the fast-paced world of sports journalism, the personal lives of on-air personalities often become a topic of speculation and intrigue. One such pair that has generated its fair share of rumors and gossip is ESPN's “First Take” co-hosts Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith.
As viewers tune in for their daily dose of sports commentary, the question on many minds remains: Are Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith more than just colleagues?
Are Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith dating?
Following Molly Qerim's divorce from Jalen Rose, speculation spread, and fans speculated that Molly and her co-host Stephen were having a romantic relationship. The duo began working together before Molly married Jalen, but their connection appeared to be entirely professional.
Because there was no clear explanation for Jalen and Molly's breakup, several speculated that Stephen had an affair. Following their divorce, Jalen denied the claims and defended Molly.
“In my connection, it was funny to me to see [Molly Querim] and I freely separate ways, agree on why we're parting ways, and then see people speculate on why. Not only were they speculating, but they also said it was because she and Stephen A. Smith were dating,” GQ reported.
“And, categorically, I am not here to speak for what he does in his personal life or what she does in her personal life; I have feelings for both of them. We are still 100. I would just say it to those who assumed we broke up because they were in a relationship. Then I had some swampland in Detroit to sell you for great cash. That's not why we split.”
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All signs point to Molly remaining single. According to Jalen, who has since left ESPN, Molly and Stephen are merely friends and coworkers, so until we know of someone else, Molly is still available.
Who was Molly Qerim's husband?
Molly Qerim married Jalen Rose, but they split in 2020. Molly and Jalen Rose started seeing each other in 2016. Given their shared passion for places, the couple seemed to fit together. Jalen was a major NBA player before becoming a sports analyst. Molly and Jalen met roughly nine years after he retired from the courtroom.
In 2018, they got married in a private ceremony in New York City. It's unclear what brought the two together, but given that they were both working for ESPN at the time, many have speculated that this connection began as a professional romance.
While the majority of their lives have been in the spotlight, Molly and Jalen have kept their relationship relatively private. Whatever was going on between them was kept private; they did not reveal anything to the outside world. They separated in 2021, and Jalen filed for divorce. Some assume that the divorce occurred the year before, with paperwork left until 2021, but nothing has been confirmed.
“After over a year of separation, Molly and I have decided to part ways. We both believe that remaining friends and coworkers is the best course of action for our relationship going forward. “Please respect our privacy during this time,” Jalen posted on Instagram.
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Molly has not openly dated anyone since her divorce. Again, her life is the subject of public speculation and scrutiny, so she could simply be keeping her romantic life out of the spotlight.
