When ESPN confirmed that Shae Cornette would become the new host of First Take, it marked a significant change for one of the network’s most-watched debate shows. The announcement came soon after Molly Qerim stepped away from the role after nearly ten years in the moderator seat. Cornette is scheduled to make her official hosting debut on November 3, 2025, alongside regular panelist Stephen A. Smith.
Background and Career Experience
Before joining First Take, Shae Cornette was already an established presence at ESPN. She has worked across multiple departments within the company, including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, and college football and NFL coverage. Earlier in her career, she spent time in Chicago sports media, hosting on ESPN 1000 and contributing to local football reporting.
Cornette has experience both as a studio anchor and a live event reporter, which gives her familiarity with structured broadcasting as well as conversational debate formats. She also co-hosted a national radio show alongside her husband, Jordan Cornette, where both discussed daily sports news and league developments.
Molly Qerim had been part of First Take since 2015, guiding discussions between rotating analysts and regular contributors. Her exit was not accompanied by a detailed explanation from the network, though reports indicated it came during a transition period in programming direction.
In the weeks following her departure, several guest hosts appeared in trial runs, including Amina Smith, MJ Acosta-Ruiz, and Courtney Cronin. After internal evaluations, ESPN selected Shae Cornette as the long-term replacement based on consistency and ability to maintain on-air flow during heated exchanges.
While Molly Qerim traditionally focused on moderating and enforcing time structure during debates, Shae Cornette is expected to take a slightly more conversational approach. Viewers who watched her during fill-in appearances on First Take may have noticed that she occasionally contributes brief follow-up questions or clarifications rather than moving immediately to the next topic.
This approach keeps the segment organized while allowing for minor context expansion when needed. It aligns with ESPN’s recent trend of making debate shows less rigid and more free-flowing in tone.
Relationship with Stephen A. Smith
As the primary personality on First Take, Stephen A. Smith’s dynamic with any incoming host plays a large role in the show’s pacing. Cornette has previously filled in alongside him on select broadcasts and has demonstrated steady timing during his longer monologues. Rather than interrupting or redirecting harshly, she typically waits for conversational pauses before shifting to the next speaker or introducing a counterpoint.
This rhythm allows Smith to maintain his signature delivery while keeping the segment length within broadcast limits. It also ensures smoother handoffs between guest analysts.
ESPN has not announced major structural changes to First Take following Cornette’s appointment. Standard segment types—such as “debate blocks,” “player comparison topics,” and “guest analyst appearances”—are expected to remain in place. The daily schedule, which typically covers NFL, NBA, and trending athlete stories, will likely continue unchanged.
What may evolve gradually is the flow of panel commentary, depending on how Cornette chooses to guide transitions and closing statements. Past appearances suggest she may tighten rambling exchanges and provide quicker recaps between viewpoints.
Career Impact and Industry Context
With this promotion, Cornette becomes one of the few anchors to move from ESPN’s supporting desk roles into a primary hosting position on a flagship weekday studio show. First Take occupies a key position in the company’s daytime programming lineup, regularly airing on both cable and streaming platforms.
Her visibility is expected to increase across promotional material and crossover appearances. ESPN often features lead hosts from major programs on NFL Draft specials, NBA crossover panels, and seasonal coverage events, suggesting Cornette’s presence may expand outside of First Take over time.
Shae Cornette’s official move into the First Take host chair marks a new stage in both her career and the long-running format of the show
USA TODAY Contributed to this Report.