The sports world is buzzing! After a decade of gracing our screens, Molly Qerim bid farewell to ESPN's First Take in September. But who's stepping into her shoes? The answer is Shae Cornette, and her arrival has sparked a wave of curiosity.
Molly Qerim, a beloved figure, announced her departure on Instagram, sharing that she's ready to embrace a new chapter. She reflected on her incredible journey, stating, "Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career." The show's devoted audience, who tune in daily, were left wondering who would fill her role.
First Take is more than just a show; it's a sports institution. In 2023 alone, it averaged 496,000 viewers and an astounding 250 million views on YouTube. With Stephen A. Smith at the helm since 2012, the show has become a cornerstone of sports debate. Now, Shae Cornette joins the team.
Shae Cornette is no stranger to the ESPN family. She's already a familiar face, hosting shows like SportsCenter. Before joining ESPN in 2020, she made her mark covering the Chicago Bears for Fox 32. This move to First Take marks a significant step up in her career. Shae herself expressed her excitement, saying, "I feel ready to step into this role and know I can add to the already successful brand that First Take is."
Shae's journey is a testament to her dedication. She continued, "From my days in radio to hosting SportsCenter and now First Take, my journey at ESPN has been one of growth, challenge, and opportunity. First Take's energy, perspective, and passion represents everything I love about sports, and I'm excited to bring more of that to the debate desk every weekday morning."
But who is Shae Cornette, really?
Shae's journey began at Indiana University, where she earned degrees in broadcast journalism and kinesiology. Her career quickly took off, with roles at Big Ten Network and The Chicago Huddle. Before ESPN, she was at Campus Insiders and then covered sports in Chicago for Fox 32.
In 2020, she joined ESPN as the host of ESPN 1000 radio in Chicago, a role previously held by her husband, Jordan Cornette. Jordan then took a position in Connecticut, leading to Shae's move. She later transitioned to ESPN Radio and SiriusXM NFL Radio in the New York City area.
And this is the part most people miss... Shae's husband, Jordan, is a former Notre Dame basketball player who holds the school record for blocks. He's now a men's college basketball analyst at NBC Sports, appearing on Big Ten College Countdown and as a courtside reporter for the NBA on NBC and Peacock.
Here's where it gets controversial... Jordan's brother, Joel Cornette, a standout basketball player at Butler University, tragically passed away at just 35 years old due to coronary atherosclerosis. The Cornette family established the Joel Cornette Foundation to fund research on sudden cardiac arrest in athletes. Shae and Jordan have two children, Joey and Saylor, and Jordan has a teenage son, Carter, from a previous relationship.
So, what do you think? Do you believe Shae Cornette is the right fit for First Take? Will she bring a fresh perspective to the show? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
