Molly Qerim was born on March 31, 1984, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in the suburb of Cheshire. She graduated from Cheshire High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a minor in business administration, from the University of Connecticut. She later completed a Master of Science in Journalism from Quinnipiac University.

Qerim began her broadcasting career at ESPN in 2006, contributing to digital and mobile platforms. She went on to anchor NFL AM and host NFL Fantasy Live on NFL Network, and served as a reporter and anchor for CBS Sports Network. In 2015, she became the permanent host of First Take on ESPN, a role she held for exactly ten years.

Over her decade on First Take, Qerim became one of the most familiar faces in sports media, working alongside Stephen A. Smith and earning an Emmy Award. She has also hosted NBA drafts, Super Bowl coverage, and major sports specials across ESPN platforms. In September 2025, she declined a contract extension and announced her departure. Following this, she joined Paramount+ in 2026 as the lead studio host for Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural broadcast events.