Jalen Rose and Molly Qerim had a great thing going. Individually, they are both stars. Together, they were an ESPN power couple. Sports brought them together, and it didn't look like anything could break them apart.
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Rose is a former NBA star turned ESPN analyst who is featured on several programs, including "NBA Countdown" and podcasts, while Qerim is the famous host of "First Take" alongside Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman.
Whether it's on air, Instagram Live, or at sporting events, the happy couple could be seen together when their busy schedules allowed it.
However, Rose filed for divorce in April 2021. What went wrong with this power couple's relationship and why did they call it quits?
Jalen Rose's Wife Molly Qerim
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 08: Molly Qerim Rose and Jalen Rose attends Endometriosis Foundation Of America's 10th Annual Blossom Ball on May 08, 2019 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Endometriosis Foundation of America )
Just Married. #Blessed @MollyQerim pic.twitter.com/3wMNKomttM
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) July 20, 2018
Sports analyst Jalen Rose and Molly Qerim began dating back in 2016, which was first confirmed in a tweet. They were married in the New York City area back in 2018 and took a honeymoon to the Turks and Caicos Islands shortly thereafter, according to Page Six.
While their relationship was more than public, especially on social media, details of their personal lives haven't always been shared.
Qerim, who was born in New Haven, Connecticut, is 11 years younger than Rose, who hails from Detroit, Michigan, and was a first round pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. No matter where life took them, they were madly in love.
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After an All-American career at Michigan, Rose played for the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns. The Fab Five superstar currently boasts a net worth of $50 million.
Meanwhile, Qerim earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Connecticut and her master's degree from Quinnipiac University before becoming a famous sports anchor. The sports show moderator started her career with the CBS Sports Network. She previously covered the UFC and worked for the NFL Network as the host of "NFL AM" and "NFL Fantasy Live."
They are currently both employed by ESPN.
The LaVar Ball Incident
Molly Qerim's career and rise to fame has been impressive, but it hasn't come without controversy. Her biggest breakthrough came with ESPN's "First Take," but nothing was more polarizing than an incident involving LaVar Ball on the program in 2019.
Ball, the father of former Los Angeles Lakers and current Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball and Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball, was on the show talking about his son Lonzo. He then made an inappropriate comment to Qerim.
"You can switch gears with me anytime," Ball told Qerim on "First Take."
The entire situation, especially Ball's comments, stirred up plenty of controversy. ESPN even went as far as saying the network doesn't plan on inviting Ball on air in the future. Qerim's husband, Jalen Rose, defended his co-host wife on Instagram Live, via Yahoo! Sports.
"Molly talks to TMZ, and they ask her a question about, 'How do you feel about LaVar being banned?' She clearly said, 'That's above my pay grade, I don't know anything about that.'
"Then it graduated to somebody saying that he got banned from ESPN. She and I didn't send no texts, no emails, no overtures to get anybody banned from ESPN - the company that we work for and don't own, fools."
Rose wasn't done, either.
"Then it went to, 'Oh Molly, you got a black man banned from ESPN.' Y'all know she's married to a black husband, right? She's covered the NFL, the NBA, college basketball, MMA...she's been doing this for 15 years. She knows how to navigate. She knows how to take care of herself.
"Somebody pays her to talk about sports. She's a vet. So this idea that she woke up that morning and like, 'Oh, I'm going to see what I can do to try to trap LaVar.' It didn't have nothing to do with his race, fools...If she felt some type of way about what he said, then she felt some type of way about what he said. And you know what? I'm riding with her."
Through it all, the two had each other's backs.
Jalen Rose's Kids
Jalen Rose and his wife Molly Qerim-Rose do not have any children together. However, the former star basketball player has three kids of his own from previous relationships.
Rose has two daughters — Mariah Christian Rose and Gracie Rose — and a son, LaDarius Rose.
Mariah was born to Rose and his ex-partner Mauri Goens. The mother(s) of Gracie and LaDarius are unknown.
Proud my daughter won her Championship today! #A5VB pic.twitter.com/wNkJPSxFJE
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) January 16, 2017
Before Rose and Qerim tied the knot, she told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she was diagnosed with endometriosis several years ago, which could lead to infertility.
Their relationship was as strong as ever. Then, it hit a snag.
Jalen Rose Files For Divorce
Jalen Rose filed for divorce from ESPN host Molly Qerim, TMZ Sports has learned. https://t.co/TeShWx7Z3F
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 8, 2021
The ESPN power couple's relationship has reportedly come to an end, according to TMZ Sports. Rose confirmed the news on his Instagram story.
Rose filed for divorce on April 30, 2021, and court documents revealed that Jalen said the marriage fell apart because Qerim moved to Connecticut. The two had appeared in a Gatorade commercial together late last year.
Rose released a statement saying that the two had been separated for almost a year.
"After being separated for almost a year, Molly and I have officially decided to go our separate ways. We both agree remaining friends and colleagues is the best course of action for our relationship moving forward. Please respect our privacy at this time," Rose wrote on his social media accounts.
— Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) December 8, 2021
TMZ reported that "Jalen does not want alimony and doesn't want Molly to have it, either. We're told there was not a prenup and Molly does not want any spousal support," per court records.
The breaking news shook social media, as one of the NBA's most beloved media couples is no longer.
Hopefully former NBA player Jalen Rose and ESPN host Molly Qerim remain good friends after their two and a half years of marriage.
This post was originally published on August 24, 2020. We updated it following their divorcement news.
