Earlier in the week, FOX Sports revealed a new programming lineup for FS1 ahead of the football season, beginning with two new shows in the morning daypart. The first program, Breakfast Ball, will feature Craig Carton, Mark Schlereth and Danny Parkins and emanate from New York City on weekdays from 8 to 10 a.m. EST. Following that show, The Facility takes the air from 10 a.m. EST with Emmanuel Acho, LeSean McCoy, James Jones and Chase Daniel. The program brings four former NFL players with 36 combined professional seasons discussing sports from a variety of different angles. The show will be competing with First Take on ESPN with Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim, a debate-style program that has attained high ratings and year-over-year growth.
Ahead of its debut, Acho addressed the notion of how he will go head-to-head against First Take within a video posted to X. Over the last year, several comparisons had been made between First Take on ESPN and Undisputed on FS1, the show that formerly held the time slot that will be occupied by The Facility. Part of the narrative related to the similar debate-style formats and the fact that former Undisputed co-host Shannon Sharpe left FS1 and signed a deal to contribute on First Take with ESPN. Sharpe has since signed a contract extension with ESPN that will retain his presence on the morning show and see him make contributions across additional programming.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear,” Acho said. “The objective is not to beat First Take, Stephen A. Smith is the best in the game. First Take is the highest-rated sports show on daily television. The objective is to offer you a beautiful alternative.”
Acho conveyed the value proposition of The Facility during his message in that it includes former athletes who can decipher nuanced aspects of the game and will lean into discussion rather than debate. The four hosts have been a part of 18 different head coaching trees, granting them a comprehensive view into the NFL.
“The Facility is simply supposed to be a beautiful alternative to support the appetite of you: the viewer,” Acho said. “Sept. 3, we debuting. 10 a.m. Eastern. Lock in. It’s going to be different, it’s going to be fun and hopefully it’s going to be something you enjoy.”
The new programming lineup will take shape in full on Tuesday, Sept. 3, which also includes Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce moving to Speak with host Joy Taylor on weekday afternoons. Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre will continue hosting The Herd from 12 to 3 p.m. EST, while First Things First with Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes continues in the two-hour stretch thereafter. Earlier on Friday, Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post reported that Broussard will be leaving FOX Sports Radio in the coming weeks to focus on the show full time.
