Fox Sports broadcaster Joy Taylor has weighed in on the shock departure of ESPN’s First Take host Molly Qerim, calling her “one of the best in the business” and praising her composure and command as moderator on the long-running morning debate present.

In an October 3 interview on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, Taylor addressed Qerim’s sudden exit from First Take final month, saying she had “no insight” into what led to the transfer however spoke glowingly of her colleague’s expertise and professionalism.

“I love Molly, she’s great,” Taylor stated. “She’s done such a great job on that show. Having done that job myself, I know it’s not easy. It requires a lot of emotional intelligence, on top of being a great broadcaster.”

Bootleg Kev prompt {that a} joint podcast that includes Taylor and Qerim may very well be “the best of both networks coming together,” however Taylor steered the dialog towards respect for Qerim’s position. She mirrored on her personal expertise moderating Undisputed throughout its early days alongside Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe, explaining that Qerim’s place calls for an unusual stability of management and timing.

“People don’t realize how hard it is to moderate,” Taylor stated. “You have to know how to go to break, how to properly interrupt people, and how to keep the show moving when emotions get high. Molly’s so good at that — she’s invaluable to how that works.”

Joy Taylor Speaks On Molly Qerim’s Exit From ESPN

Qerim, who joined First Take in 2015, helped information a few of ESPN’s most heated on-air moments between Stephen A. Smith and a rotating solid of co-hosts. Her resolution to step down caught many within the business off guard, although she has not publicly commented on the explanation.

Taylor stated she’ll be watching carefully to see who ESPN faucets to exchange Qerim however expressed full confidence in her buddy’s future. “Whatever she does next, she’s going to do a great job,” she stated.

Taylor’s remarks spotlight the mutual respect between two of sports activities broadcasting’s most influential girls — each of whom helped outline the fashionable debate format on rival networks.