A new chapter opened on ESPN’s most-watched sports show as Shae Cornette took over as the new host of “First Take.” She replaced Molly Qerim, who left the network in September. Cornette’s arrival ushers in a generational shift in the show’s. Format and creates a new dynamic alongside Stephen A. Smith, the show’s most recognizable face.
The network launched the premiere Monday in Arlington, Texas, broadcasting live from Monday Night Football between the Cowboys and Cardinals. Smith, true to his provocative style. She walked on set wearing a cowboy hat and cigar, teasing the local crowd before introducing Cornette. “Can we get a round of applause for our new host?” he asked, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.
Cornette brings a new energy to “First Take”
The New York Post reported that, unlike her predecessor, Cornette skipped an elaborate introduction or special welcome. She jumped straight into debate, showing confidence and control from the start. The 39-year-old journalist asserted her voice immediately, playing the “devil’s advocate” in heated discussions with Dan Orlovsky, Cam Newton, and Michael Irvin.
.@stephenasmith brought the receipts for @michaelirvin88 😂 pic.twitter.com/3cG0vcuoiQ
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 3, 2025
Cornette projected poise and style, earning praise from fans and colleagues alike. She joined ESPN in 2020 and had long stood out as Qerim’s natural successor. During her final audition, she outperformed contenders such as Amina Smith, MJ Acosta-Ruiz, and Courtney Cronin, impressing executives with her mix of expertise and personality.
In an interview with The Post, Cornette expressed excitement about the opportunity ahead. “I embrace the debate. I’m here for it,” she said. She also pushed for more hockey coverage and Midwestern sports stories, calling for stronger representation of that region on the show.
Cornette praised Molly Qerim’s decade-long contribution. “She made the job look effortless for ten years. That takes grace and knowledge,” she noted. She also emphasized that she doesn’t see her role as a replacement but as the beginning of a new era for ‘First Take.’
Meanwhile, ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus, confirmed that Qerim and the network mutually agreed on her departure at the end of her contract. Cornette now leads the show into a new phase, honoring its legacy while shaping her own voice and identity in one of sports television’s most influential platforms.
