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Report: ESPN tabs Shae Cornette to replace Molly Qerim as host of 'First Take'

Untitled design (2)by: Sam Gillenwater10/16/25samdg_33
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A month ago, Molly Qerim suddenly left as the host of ‘First Take.’ Now, ESPN has officially announced her replacement on the show.

Per Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel at Front Office Sports, Shae Cornette has been named as the show’s new host as of Thursday morning. That comes with confirmation to them by those at ESPN. Stephen A. Smith was still hosting the show on an interim basis as of Thursday morning, though.

“EXCLUSIVE: ESPN has landed on a successor for Molly Qerim on First Take. Shae Cornette will be named host alongside Stephen A. Smith, the network confirmed to Front Office Sports,” FOS tweeted out.

“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,” ESPN Executive VP David Roberts said to FOS. “Her professionalism, presence and energy make her an ideal fit for First Take and a great addition to one of ESPN’s most successful franchises.”

Qerim suddenly departed the show after having been the host of it since 2015, and having been at ESPN. The Sports Business Journal had reported on her eventual, expected exit on September 15th, but Qerim left immediately by September 16th. She released a message online on social media, while ESPN released a statement that morning and Smith also had to address the shift at the opening of that morning’s episode.

“Molly has been an integral part of ESPN since 2006 and a key driver of First Take’s success since joining as host a decade ago,” the statement from ESPN’s Burke Magnus red. “She elevated the show with her poise, skill and professionalism, while supporting others as a kind and encouraging teammate. We respect Molly’s decision, wish her the best in the future and thank her for her extraordinary daily commitment to sports fans and ESPN.”

“Normally, our friend Molly Qerim would greet you. However, Molly announced last night she will be departing from ESPN,” Smith said. “She’s hosted First Take for 10 years and elevated the show with her grace, her expertise, and her incomparable kindness. She’s been an enormous part of our success for a decade…She did it with dignity, class, and kindness, to say the least. We’ll miss her and wish her every blessing on her future. I personally am grateful to her for her friendship, and I will miss spending every weekday morning with her right by my side.”

Since then, several personalities have hosted the show alongside Stephen A. in order to select a successor for ‘First Take.’ Cornette was the selection of those, with her having been at ESPN since 2020, with appearances, among other roles at the network, as an anchor on SportsCenter.

‘First Take’ remains a flagship show on weekday mornings at ESPN. Cornette will now be the one who guides it next as its host, alongside Smith and all the other analysts, personalities, and athletes who appear on it at The Worldwide Leader.