Shae Cornette named new host of ESPN’s ‘First Take’ following Molly Qerim’s departure

Shae Cornette replaces Molly Qerim as new First Take host after ESPN tryout period

After a month-long search, ESPN has officially selected Shae Cornette as the new host of its flagship debate show First Take, according to a report from Front Office Sports on Thursday.

Cornette will step into the role previously held by Molly Qerim, who abruptly exited the program and the network last month after a decade-long tenure.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Front Office Sports (@frontofficesports)

Qerim, who had been the face of First Take since 2015, announced her departure on Instagram shortly after Sports Business Journal reported she would be leaving by the end of the year. “After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take,” Qerim wrote. “Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”

-Instagram.

Qerim’s exit came during contract negotiations, and although ESPN’s president of content, Burke Magnus, told The Athletic that talks were ongoing for her to remain at the network in a different role, the situation changed suddenly. “The one thing that was unexpected was the timing of all this,” Magnus said. “Her deal ran through the end of the year… but once the news leaked, it got out of our respective controls.”

During the tryout period, several in-house personalities, including Amina Smith, MJ Acosta Ruiz, Courtney Cronin, and Joe Fortenbaugh, rotated through the host chair before Cornette was ultimately chosen.

Cornette, 39, currently anchors afternoon editions of SportsCenter. She began her broadcasting career with the Big Ten Network and later served as a Bears reporter for Fox 32 in Chicago. Speaking to Moffly Lifestyle Media, Cornette reflected on her journey: “This business is hard and can be a roller coaster, you just have to enjoy the ride… Hosting SportsCenter is truly a dream job.”

She is married to former Notre Dame basketball player Jordan Cornette, who now works as a college basketball analyst for NBC. The couple has two children.

Cornette will now join Stephen A. Smith and a rotating panel of analysts as the face of one of ESPN’s most-watched morning shows.