Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim finally address dating rumors after First Take co-host Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo teased them about their relationship

Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim finally addressed dating rumors surrounding them.

On Wednesday morning’s edition of First Take, Smith and Qerim had similar-colored outfits on set. As a result, co-host Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo teased them about being married at the top of the program.

‘Who said ‘I do’ first between the two of you,’ Russo quipped while pointing at his colleagues. Qerim quickly responded, sarcastically saying: ‘Who said ‘I don’t?”

Smith and Qerim exchanged compliments before the veteran sports journalist began addressing the speculations.

‘No! There’s nothing going on. You understand what I’m saying?’ Smith said. ‘America’s been lying about that for a couple years.’

Stephen A. Smith and co-host Molly Qerim addressed dating rumors on ESPN's First Take

Stephen A. Smith and co-host Molly Qerim addressed dating rumors on ESPN’s First Take

On Wednesday Day, Smith and Qerim wore similar outfits to the set of their program

On Wednesday Day, Smith and Qerim wore similar outfits to the set of their program

Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo teased them, asking: 'Who said 'I do' first between the two of you?'

Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo teased them, asking: ‘Who said ‘I do’ first between the two of you?’

‘You know what’s the funniest part? Is people actually believe it,’ Qerim, who found the conversation comedic, chimed in. After bringing forth the conversation, Russo expressed how he gets asked about Smith and Qerim’s relationship often.

‘I get asked all the time: ‘How’s the famous couple doing?’

Smith went on to joke about how he and Qerim’s good looks and ‘great taste’ contribute to the program’s success.

‘But here’s the upside to all of that – they know my taste,’ Smith said. ‘So, therefore, they know that’s a compliment to her. And, obviously, she has great taste as well, so I guess that’s America’s way of saying we both really really look good.

‘It does mean that ‘First Take’ is not only the number one show because of our content, we look the part.’

Qerim joined First Take in 2015, stepping in for Cari Champion after getting promoted to ESPN’s flagship show, Sports Center.

Qerim was married to retired NBA player and former ESPN personality Jalen Rose for three years before parting ways. Their divorce was made public in December 2021 when Rose announced their split on his Instagram story.

Qerim joined First Take in 2015 to replace Cari Champion after her promotion to Sports Center

Qerim joined First Take in 2015 to replace Cari Champion after her promotion to Sports Center

Qerim was married to former NBA player and ESPN personality Jalen Rose for three years

Qerim was married to former NBA player and ESPN personality Jalen Rose for three years

In 2022, Rose addressed the rumors surrounding Qerim and Smith in an interview with GQ.

‘In my personal relationship, it was laughable to me, to see [Molly Qerim] and I mutually part ways, be in accord about why we’re parting ways, and still see people speculating on why,’ Rose said. ‘Not only speculating — in particular saying it was because her and Stephen A. Smith had a relationship.

‘And, like, unequivocally, I’m not here to speak for what he does in his personal life or what she does in her personal life, I got love for both of them. We still 100. I would just say that for people who thought we parted ways because they have a relationship? Then I got some swampland in Detroit to sell you for top dollar. That is not why we split.’

Rose also explained that the rumors were not addressed because he, Qerim, and Smith had discussed them away from the public eye.

‘It was trending [online], [Smith] was trending, [Qerim] was trending, I was trending. It was a real thing,’ Rose said. ‘And, like, am I about to respond to that? It gave me a real fork in the road. But I didn’t, because I knew it wasn’t true. I would just be fueling those people. Not responding, and finally sprinkling some here and there, it made people who ran with it look less credible.

‘We discussed it. It’s why none of us said anything. People would say, ‘Jalen’s a sucker, Stephen A. snatched his wife and he up there workin’ with him,’ or ‘Look, at Molly, she was talkin’ to Jalen yesterday now she kickin it with…’ That ain’t happen. We all looked at it like: it was such a reach. That’s why none of us have spoken on it.’