Shae Cornette: A new era is dawning for ESPN’s high-octane debate show, First Take. Following the sudden, decade-defining departure of Molly Qerim, the network has officially tapped Shae Cornette as the permanent host, placing her squarely in the middle of sports media’s most polarizing stage.
While the decision comes after a public “audition” period featuring a rotating cast of talented anchors, Cornette’s selection is less a calculated gamble and more the culmination of a uniquely versatile career.
Shae Cornette’s Unique Path to the ‘First Take’ Hot Seat
Cornette, an Indiana University alum, is no stranger to the intensity of sports. Unlike hosts who climb the ladder strictly through national studio gigs, Cornette built her foundation in the high-stakes, hyper-local world of Chicago sports.
From her role as the primary beat reporter for the Chicago Bears on Fox 32 to co-hosting on ESPN 1000, she mastered the art of delivering nuanced reporting while managing the passionate demands of a dedicated, often critical, fanbase. This background provides her with a crucial, battle-tested shield against the heat of national debate.
The host of First Take is a unique role. It’s not a panelist; it’s a traffic cop, a historian, and a diplomat rolled into one. The job requires not just knowing the statistics but knowing when to interject a fact, when to pivot the topic, and when to simply let Stephen A. Smith’s rhetorical fire burn itself out.
Cornette’s previous experience as a reliable SportsCenter anchor and an intermittent fill-in host for Qerim already gave ESPN a preview of her style: meticulous, prepared, and capable of maintaining a commanding presence without overwhelming the distinct personalities around her.
Why ESPN picked Shae Cornette as Molly Qerim’s replacement on ‘First Take’
“Shae is meticulous in her preparations, connects naturally with our show’s high-profile personalities, and has a unique ability to keep lively debate engaging and on point,” said ESPN executive vice president David Roberts in a statement announcing her new post.
The choice of Cornette also signals a distinct shift in the show’s dynamic. Qerim was lauded for her grace and poise, a perfect foil to the show’s often chaotic energy. Cornette brings a slightly different flavor—a strong sports journalism backbone mixed with a proven resilience.
This resilience was on public display earlier in her career when she drew unexpected backlash for a social media post, a high-pressure moment she navigated with a measured mix of humor and humility. That ability to handle public scrutiny is arguably as critical to the First Take host role as her ability to discuss the NFL salary cap.
Furthermore, Cornette’s work off-camera, as co-founder of the pediatric cancer fundraiser “Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer,” underscores a deep personal dimension that transcends the typical sports analyst profile. It provides a grounding contrast to the on-screen bombast, enriching her persona in a way that viewers often connect with.
Conclusion
While the new era of First Take officially launches on November 3, the foundation has already been set. Shae Cornette is stepping into one of sports television’s most visible chairs, but she does so not as a newcomer to the pressure cooker, but as a seasoned broadcaster whose unique journey through local beats, national desks, and high-stakes media moments has prepared her for the ultimate challenge: keeping control of the biggest, loudest debate in sports.
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