FIRST TAKE OR FIRST DATE Corey Holcomb Claims Stephen A. Smith Was Allegedly Smashin’ Molly Qerim While ESPN Looked The Other Way

Comedian Corey Holcomb has sparked online chatter after making provocative claims about ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim during a recent appearance, framing the situation as his personal belief and speculation, not as confirmed fact.

According to Holcomb, he believes there may have been a romantic relationship between Smith and Qerim during the time she was married to former NBA player and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose. Holcomb argued that what he perceives as Qerim’s “awful” or difficult on-air attitude would not have been tolerated by network executives unless there was something more going on behind the scenes with the show’s biggest star. In his view, Smith’s immense influence at ESPN created an environment where certain behavior might have gone unchecked.

Holcomb also referenced a personal anecdote to support his suspicions, recalling an encounter in which Jalen Rose allegedly expressed intense frustration toward Stephen A. Smith while the two were on a plane together. Holcomb interpreted that moment as further confirmation of unresolved tension, suggesting it pointed to something deeper than professional rivalry.

Throughout his commentary, Holcomb leaned into a broader theme he often returns to in his comedy and discussions: power dynamics in the workplace. Summing up his perspective with the phrase “proximity is power,” he suggested that being close to influential figures can shape how people are treated, perceived, and protected in high-profile environments like sports media.

It’s important to note that Holcomb’s statements are unverified opinions and allegations, and none of the parties involved have publicly confirmed or addressed these claims. Still, the remarks have fueled debate online about workplace power, media hierarchies, and how personal relationships—real or rumored—can affect public-facing careers in entertainment and sports journalism.