During a discussion about Aaron Rodgers and his lack of performance through the NFL season thus far, a discussion about salary turned First Take into a grudge sharing platform, as host Molly Qerim mocked Stephen A. Smith and his salary as the reason she doesn’t make more.
“Mad Dog Russo would take less money?” Smith asked Chris “Mad Dog” Russo after the Radio Hall of Famer said Rodgers should tkae less money.
“I’m on the salary cap thing anyway!” Russo screamed. “I don’t have to worry about anybody else!”
“I don’t know about that Doggie,” Smith added.
“I have to take a much-reduced salary so he can get paid!” Qerim said and pointed at Smith.
“See how she’s stuttering? That’s how you know she’s lying,” Smith joked.
“There’s a big pie, and it’s like, ‘Molly, you get this little one percent slice, so we can pay Stephen A.,’” Qerim said while she held up her hastily drawn pie chart. “So here’s me on the pie, and there’s Stephen A.”
“Actually, it’s the other way around,” Smith said. “It is me that ensure others get paid. That’s all I’m saying.”
Smith makes a reported $12 million annually from ESPN.
Regardless of salary, First Take is doing well in the ratings. October was its highest rated month since December of 2019.
