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Earlier this week LaVar Ball caused a bit of controversy when he made what many deemed an inappropriate remark directed at First Take host Molly Qerim.
During the show, Qerim, in an attempt to change the subject said, “LaVar, can I switch gears with you because I have a question here.”
“You can switch gears with me anytime,” LaVar responded.
“Let’s stay focused here,” Qerim, who happens to be married to ESPN personality Jalen Rose, fired back at LaVar while her two co-hosts, Stephen A Smith and Max Kellerman, looked shocked at what had transpired.
LaVar shooting his shot at Molly Qerim during First Take interview? Jalen Rose gonna bust him up lol pic.twitter.com/HeIB9CFIxH
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 17, 2019
Ball was immediately bashed on Twitter by former ESPNers Jemele Hill and Jeff Goodman
Kudos to Molly Querim for the professional way she handled LaVar Ball after his inappropriate comment. Maybe ESPN will have finally learned its lesson about putting him on TV.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 17, 2019
I apologize to everyone for getting him on TV years ago. Never ever thought it would get to the point it did (and has) or would never have done so.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 17, 2019
ESPN would later release a statement condemning LaVar’s remark towards Qerim.
“LaVar Ball’s comment to Molly Qerim Rose was completely inappropriate and we made him aware of that.”
LaVar’s reps issued a statement to deny that Ball was being sexual during his exchange with Qerim.
Statement to @Lavarbigballer comment on @FirstTake. He was asked if he wanted to switch gears, in his mind switching gears was “changing the subject anytime” and he said, “yes, you can switch gears with me anytime.” At NO time was that intended or meant to be sexual in nature. https://t.co/9bz6Nr7m7H
— Denise White (@DeniseWhite_EAG) June 17, 2019
Today, The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch spoke with someone at ESPN who went on the record to say that the company has no plans to feature LaVar Ball on any of their platforms.
There will be no LaVar Ball on any ESPN platform heading forward — at least as of now. Asked if Ball will be used as an on-air guest, an on-the-record source for digital, or a background source for ESPN, an ESPN spokesperson said,"We have no plans moving forward."
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) June 19, 2019
Update: LaVar Ball’s rep Denise White denis Deitsch’s report that Ball will not be ESPN moving forward.
Before putting out false information you should do your homework . @Lavarbigballer was on @espn radio this morning and has been asked to be a guest weekly for their affiliate . This has bee exploited into something it wasn’t. There was no intent! Your clickbait is wrong . https://t.co/vz5AstaOgY
— Denise White (@DeniseWhite_EAG) June 19, 2019
The comment made by the person at ESPN seems pretty vague but we’ll see how long they’ll keep LaVar from appearing on their network.