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Early this morning LaVar Ball caused a bit of an uproar on the Internet when he made what many deemed an inappropriate remark directed at host Molly Qerim.
Watch as 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
At the end of today’s episode of First Take, Qerim joked about calling ESPN’s human resources department following her awkward exchange with LaVar.
@MollyQerim said “if anyone’s calling HR today it’s me” I don’t think Lavar Ball will be back on #Firsttake
— Dominic Woods (@domiwoods11) June 17, 2019
Molly Qerim jokes about calling HR after awkward exchange with LaVar Ball pic.twitter.com/4NMhhyBFxd
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 17, 2019
Ball was quickly called out 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 have issued a statement to deny that Ball was being sexual during his exchange with Qerim.
(via TMZ Sports
”
Now, LaVar’s rep, Denise White, is issuing a statement from the BBB camp … saying, “[LaVar] 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.”
It doesn’t seem like Ball is going to be on making a return appearance on ‘First Take’ for a while.