ESPN ‘First Take’ Host Molly Qerim on Controlling Heated Debates,Tackling Sports’ Toughest Topics

ESPN ‘First Take’ Host Molly Qerim on Controlling Heated Debates,Tackling Sports’ Toughest Topics

Whether it’s keeping her outspoken colleagues in check or forwarding the sports conversation to prove that she can keep up with the big boys, Qerim has more than earned her stripes on the high-energy debate show.

[...] this year has changed in terms of Skip and Max joining, but I think now my main role and job description — as it always has been — is to continue to move the conversation forward, to play devil’s advocate, to bring up points of order.

First Take” was his baby and he essentially created that show and helped it evolve from “Cold Pizza.

While “First Take” was ahead of the game, debate shows like Skip’s new “Undisputed” seem to be the new trend in sports media — why do you think that’s so?

Appointment viewing no longer exists, as between social media and the internet, people already have the news and can get the highlights — so now people want the opinions.

LaVar Ball [the father of three of L.A.’s hottest basketball players] has been in the center of his own media firestorm lately by clashing with LeBron James.

If Kaepernick is trying to become a backup quarterback and we’re seeing guys like Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith being picked ahead him, then you can argue that he is being blackballed. 

ESPN announced last week that Sam Ponder and Suzy Kolber are among the hosts joining, what do you think of the growing number of women in prominent sports media roles?

Read original story ESPN ‘First Take’ Host Molly Qerim on Controlling Heated Debates,Tackling Sports’ Toughest Topics At TheWrap