When Molly Qerim announced she would step away from ESPN and her role on First Take, shockwaves reverberated throughout sports media. After 20 years with the network, and as a highly regarded presence on the flagship morning debate program, her departure created an opportunity. One that found Shae Cornette.
“It’s been a transition for me, but one that I was ready for,” said Cornette. “I feel like I’m starting to find my groove on First Take. So far, it’s been great.”
Cornette served as a longstanding anchor on SportsCenter and became a mainstay across ESPN studio programming after joining the network in 2020. She also filled in for Qerim many times before her departure, leaving strong impressions on ESPN executives as they weighed who would take over the role.
It has been six months since Qerim’s departure and four months since Cornette was named the new host of First Take. Her experience in both television and radio provided a wide-ranging skill set, allowing her to adapt to the show’s fast-paced environment. She moves fluidly between topics while setting up high-profile commentators—beginning with Stephen A. Smith—to elevate the conversation.
“On SportsCenter or other shows, we get to breaks quicker. On First Take, this is longer form similar to sports radio. There’s more room to breathe and debate,” explained Cornette. “I have this internal clock in my head. But this show eliminates that to a degree. That’s something I’ve had to get used to understanding there’s room to breathe with two hours.”
Adapting To First Take
As Cornette continues to adapt to her new role, she admits she is still navigating some nerves. Her debut as the full-time host came in front of a raucous live audience in Dallas, ahead of the Cowboys’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
“It’s a high-profile show, but something that was new to me with ESPN was live shows with live audiences. I never did that on SportsCenter,” said Cornette. “That has been the best kind of challenge for me in terms of nerves. When you have a live show in front of a live audience, you don’t stick to a script and feed off their energy.”
After years of working in various roles at ESPN, the structured schedule that First Take provides has also required adjustment. With the new opportunity, she said her goal is to build on what was already established while adding her own imprint to the role.
“There were quite a few times during the interim process [following Qerim’s departure] where they would ask me to host and analyze… I always welcomed doing that, especially coming from a radio background,” explained Cornette. “Now, as a full-time host, I’m not an analyst. That’s why we have guests on the show. But I’m the host and still want to interject some of my own points. So, I’m trying to find that happy medium now.”
Cornette said the opportunity to become the full-time host of First Take was never something she expected. She credited Qerim’s tenure—one she never envisioned ending when it did.
However, when the position opened, her interest immediately peaked as she considered pursuing the role.
“I enjoy hosting. That has become my niche, and I love it. I enjoy it and can show my knowledge and personality,” said Cornette. “Hosting a premiere show on ESPN of course was a goal of mine. But did I think that First Take would come available, and I’d be first in line? I didn’t know anything. It just sort of worked out that way.”
Working With Stephen A. Smith
Each morning, Cornette shares the stage with Smith, who has been part of the debate program since 2012. One of sports media’s most dynamic—and controversial—figures, his voice carries across the industry. His presence has helped First Take remain the top-rated morning sports program for 14 years and counting.
Smith also balances a daily SiriusXM show, a weekly political program, and regular contributions to his Straight Shooter Media platforms.
“I have never worked with someone who has a busier schedule in my life,” said Cornette about her working relationship with Smith. “I don’t know how he does it. I’m tired after a debate show that runs two hours with some social media obligations that follow… He goes all day. His work ethic is unmatched. He’ll travel time zones and you’ll never know it.”
Cornette said she tries to match Smith’s energy every day. The work begins with a morning meeting two hours before each show, where the cast and crew map out the program. She noted that Smith is deeply involved in shaping the subject matter and guiding how the show flows.
“We work together in terms of questioning. For instance, the way we can truly embrace debate. What line of questioning will really pull that out,” said Cornette. “There are times where I disagree with a take that I know our analysts are going to say, I’ll call our producer. I don’t want to always tell him everything, because then I can push back on him a little. Then I’ll say on the call that I’ll push back on that to get more [out of the debate]. We work on that the most during our morning meeting.”
When asked what people may misunderstand about Smith, Cornette reinforced the level of attention and effort he puts into his work.
“He takes his work seriously, and he cares. He cares about every segment of First Take. The subject manner and the people on that show. He takes every part of his work seriously,” explained Cornette. “I know some of it is performative, and he’s mastered that. But there’s a lot more to him than just that.”
With a background in sports radio, Cornette approaches the show as a student of “playing the hits”—crafting content that aligns with what the majority of the audience wants to hear. That same philosophy carries over to First Take, where discussions center on timely and widely relevant topics.
Although some in sports media have publicly criticized the show’s topic selection, Cornette believes the approach reflects any mainstream debate program.
“First Take is also very reactionary. ESPN is a 24-hour sports channel. We’re on all the time, so you must be reactionary to what happens the night before,” explained Cornette. “Are we just one day going to talk about the Dallas Cowboys? No. There’s going to be a jumping off point. If Dak Prescott talks yesterday, a new contract, or Jerry Jones spoke on a radio show. Then it becomes timely. But if we’re going to pick Cowboys and people talking about the Cowboys or the Lions, we’re going to lean where we’re most passionate. Especially at ESPN, being reactionary must be at the front of the list.”
Work/Life Balance
As Cornette continues to navigate the layers of her role, she does so with the full support of her husband, Jordan Cornette. Both have spent their careers in sports media, even co-hosting a program on ESPN Radio together.
When Cornette received the news that she had been selected for the role, he celebrated the accomplishment, regardless of the challenges ahead.
“This is a challenge to do this job while he’s on the road for many days. However, we knew when we got married that we’d have these seasons of life that we would have to navigate together. He’s been supportive of me, and I’ve been supportive of him. We make it work,” explained Cornette. “It comes with challenges, but having two people with odd schedules in television is a challenge in itself. Honestly, he’s really helped me navigate those challenges.”
After several months in her new role, Cornette continues to find balance—between host and participant, structure and spontaneity, preparation and instinct. In many ways, that’s the point.
First Take has never been built on comfort. It thrives on energy, tension, and the ability to evolve in real time. Now, so does its new host.
For all the pressure that comes with stepping into a role once held by a steady presence like Qerim, Cornette is not trying to replicate what came before. Instead, she leans into what got her here—her versatility, her radio-honed pacing, and her willingness to engage rather than simply guide.
In a format driven by voices as strong as Smith’s, that balance is everything.
And while the show remains familiar to its audience, the voice steering it forward is still taking shape in real time. That’s not a weakness. It’s evolution.
Because for Shae Cornette, this isn’t about replacing a fixture—it’s about growing into one.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
