Who is Shae Cornette, the new host of ‘First Take’

A new era at “First Take” will soon begin.

One month after host Molly Qerim abruptly left the ESPN program and the network, it was announced in October 2025 that “SportsCenter” anchor Shae Cornette would take on the role.

Here’s what to know about Cornette before she takes her permanent seat at the “First Take” table beside Stephen A. Smith on Nov. 3.

Career beginnings

A graduate of Indiana University, Cornette’s broadcasting career began at the Big Ten Network. She later joined Fox 32 in Chicago, where she covered the Bears, “anchoring newscasts, hosting pre- and post-game shows, and leading her own weekly sports program, Bears Unleashed,” according to her ESPN profile.

Joining ESPN

Cornette joined ESPN in 2020.

In a February 2024 profile with Westport Magazine, Cornette detailed how her husband, college basketball analyst Jordan Cornette, helped her link up with the Worldwide Leader.

“Jordan is the reason I am at ESPN. He basically begged ESPN to give me a shot on a radio show with him and then we never looked back. He has always believed in me, and I am forever grateful that he is my person,” she said of Jordan, whom she met while they were working together in Chicago.

Cornette hosts ESPN studio shows on TV and radio, in addition to her “SportsCenter” duties.

“This business is hard and can be a roller coaster, you just have to enjoy the ride because there are going to be ups and downs,” she told Westport Magazine. “I now host SportsCenter on ESPN at 2 p.m., which is truly a dream job.”

‘First Take’ future

In September 2025, Qerim announced she would be exiting the show following reports about her impending departure at 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,” she wrote on an Instagram Story.

“Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate, and entertaining voices in sports — and with all of you, the best fans in the world.”

In the wake of Qerim’s departure after 10 years as host of “First Take,” Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of content, told The Athletic there would be a 30-to-45-day tryout period to find a new host.

Cornette was part of that group that included Peter Schrager, MJ Acosta-Ruiz, Amina Smith, Courtney Cronin and Joe Fortenbaugh.

“Shae has done it all at ESPN, from anchoring ‘SportsCenter’ to extensive radio work and hosting ‘First Take’ and ‘Get Up’ from time to time, she’s a pro’s pro and we are absolutely thrilled to have her join the ‘First Take’ family full-time,” Stephen A. Smith said on Oct. 16, 2025, the day Cornette was named host.

Life off-screen

Cornette and husband Jordan tied the knot on June 1, 2019, a day that “will always be the most magical” of her life.

They are parents to son Joey and daughter Saylor, and have an English cream golden retriever named Kobe, in honor of late NBA icon Kobe Bryant.

Jordan is also a dad to teenage son Carter from a previous relationship.