Copyright New York Post
Don’t expect Shae Cornette to tiptoe on the set of “First Take.” The former “SportsCenter” anchor plans to have her voice heard alongside Stephen A. Smith, who is executive producer and star of the show, as her era as the host of “First Take” begins Monday. In a wide-ranging interview with The Post, Cornette — whom ESPN announced as Molly Qerim’s successor following an abrupt departure last month — discussed taking over the coveted role and revealed what the tryout process was like. “I embrace the debate. I’m here for it,” she said, adding that she wants to see more hockey coverage and midwest teams on the show. “I’m going to get a word in edgewise and I think they know that.” Passing the torch First things first. Cornette, who’s served as a fill-in host for Qerim over the last several years, hasn’t spoken to her. “Molly and I have only met like a handful of times,” Cornette, who joined ESPN in 2020, said. “When I was there we met a few times when I was doing radio. Always so kind and so sweet. “That’s not to say I wouldn’t reach out to her. I would.” Cornette, 39, applauded Qerim for making the job look “effortless” across a decade in the host seat. “Listen, she was on that show for ten years, and it is hard to talk about a lot of different topics with a lot of different personalities for ten years straight,” Cornette said. “And I know that that takes someone with not only a lot of stamina and knowledge, but also someone that has a lot of grace that I know that she’s had. And everyone I know that knows her has told me that she has. “There’s a reason this was a coveted job, and I think it’s because she made it look so effortless. I applaud her for that. I don’t love the term ‘replace’ … This is kind of like a new generation of ‘First Take.’ I’m just going to call it [that]. But that’s not because of anything with her. It’s just something for me. And I hope that her and I cross paths soon.” The tryouts In an interview with The Athletic last month, Burke Magnus, ESPN’s president of content, explained that prior to Qerim announcing her departure from the Worldwide Leader in September, both sides had already determined that she would be taken off of “First Take” when her contract expired at the end of 2025. Magnus said they were in renewal conversations with Qerim, who he felt wanted to “explore other things” — and in the end, “we just weren’t totally aligned.” The company took the next month-plus to try out a variety of candidates for the “First Take” hosting role, which included Cornette, Amina Smith, MJ Acosta Ruiz and Courtney Cronin. “It was a different process than what I’ve been a part of in the past,” Cornette said when asked about the tryout. “But I think that’s to be expected with a show like this. And for me it’s been pretty easygoing. “I knew when Molly left, I knew out of the gate there was going to be some sort of discussion. I’ve been filling in for Molly for years. So, I thought, ‘Okay, either I’m going to have a busy next couple of weeks or a different kind of conversation.’ I didn’t know really what to expect, but I knew there would be something coming up quickly. “In the beginning we were all told right away, ‘Hey, this is kind of going to be an open audition situation. And that was kind of it. We had some side convos [about fit, scheduling and commute], and then after that it was a little bit of a waiting game. “They told me [I got he job] right before it was announced and I was thrilled about it. So it wasn’t the most traditional process. But at the same time, I felt like I knew what was happening the entire time, and I just I had to be patient. And that’s where we are.” Stephen A. Cornette said there wasn’t much communication between her and Smith behind the scenes. “He obviously was familiar with me from filling in and hosting the show the past couple of years, months. And then it was just a quick convo one day,” Cornette said. “He said, ‘Hey, do you want to do this?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I would love to and I’d love to make it my own and be a real part of the show.’ And that was kind of it. “I love that that was really the only dialogue. There wasn’t a ton of back and forth. I also have an agent who goes back and forth with ESPN a lot too. … I think he knew my skill set. And for me, it was like, I’ll let my work speak for itself.” Cornette’s broadcasting career began at the Big Ten Network. She later joined Fox 32 in Chicago, where she covered the Bears. She has a degree in broadcast journalism and kinesiology from Indiana University. At home Cornette and her husband, Jordan, met while working together in Chicago. They married and moved to Bristol because he got a radio job with ESPN. After Cornette wrapped up her job with Fox 32, she joined Jordan in Connecticut. It’s a special place for the pair because they welcomed their two children, Joey, 3, and Saylor, 2, there. Jordan has a son, Carter, 17, from a previous relationship. They also have a dog, an English Cream Golden named Kobe. The couple was on the cover of “Westport” magazine for their March/April issue in 2024. “First Take” will take Cornette to New York, where the show films in its brand new studios located in Hudson Yards. She said she’s looking forward to finding the best coffee spots and exploring more of the city. Jordan played basketball at Notre Dame from 2001-05 and is the program’s all-time leader in blocks (201). He helped lead the Fightin’ Irish to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2003. The Shae era Cornette will make her official debut at the desk in Dallas, as the show is on location for the Cowboys-Cardinals game on “Monday Night Football.” “My husband works in this business, too and him and I get into some heated debate sometimes about the sports so I’m used to it,” Shae said of her husband, who is a basketball analyst with NBC Sports. Jordan made waves online when he sent a tweet congratulating her on her new gig. “They never made it easy for her,” Jordan wrote. “Beyond wild stuff. And yet she still won. “Never played their game. Played hers. True boss behavior. They are lucky. You can’t keep a star down. She is a force of nature and won’t be denied. Beyond proud of my Schway.” Cornette said her husband’s words were misunderstood by some. “I’m just going to say this with that tweet, I think it was just taken out of context,” she said. “I saw some people writing some things about it. “Jordan is a big reason why I’m even here… He’s my biggest cheerleader through everything and all of the things. I just think that was taken a little out of context.” Cornette, who was modest about her new promotion, said she and Jordan had a quiet celebration together. “We just had a nice dinner together and did a little cheers,” she said. “I’m changing shows, but I’m on the same network though. It’s not like I’m changing something completely different. “This is a show I’m really familiar with. It’s just a little bit of a bigger spotlight, that’s all.” Much bigger.
