ESPN is on the lookout for a new host of popular talk show ‘First Take’ after the sudden departure of Molly Qerim.
The 41-year-old shocked viewers after confirming the end of her decade-long stint in the hot-seat, with Stephen A. Smith later revealing she had left the network altogether.
It later emerged that the network and its anchor failed to agree terms over a new contract, leaving a hole to fill alongside the likes of Smith. Here, Daily Mail Sport runs through some of those who could take Qerim’s place.
Shae Peppler Cornette
Perhaps the obvious choice, Cornette has often filled in for Qerim when she has been absent from ‘First Take’ in recent times.
She previously worked for ‘Big Ten Network’ and has quickly established herself as a rising star at ESPN.
Cornette currently works as a host on SportsCenter and other ESPN shows – both on TV and radio. She previously covered the Chicago Bears and, earlier this summer, Cornette was forced to apologize after being pictured in a Green Bay Packers shirt at Lambeau Field.
ESPN is on the lookout for a new host of ‘First Take’ after the sudden departure of Molly Qerim
Shae Peppler Cornette (R) has filled in for Qerim when she has been absent from ‘First Take’
Peter Schrager
Nearly six months have passed since the popular host joined ESPN. Schrager became one of the most respected and recognizable faces in sports broadcasting as host of NFL Network’s ‘Good Morning Football’ for nearly a decade.
He also served as an NFL insider for Fox – working both in the studio and on the sideline.
Since arriving at ESPN, he has appeared as an analyst for ‘Get Up,’ ‘First Take,’ ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ ‘NFL Live,’ and ‘SportsCenter’.
Malika Andrews
Just hours after news emerged that Qerim was leaving ESPN, the network announced a multi-year contract extension for another top broadcasting talent.
Andrews, 30, currently serves as the host of ESPN’s NBA studio shows, ‘NBA Countdown’ and ‘NBA Today’ and she was immediately linked with the vacancy at ‘First Take’.
The Oakland native first rose to fame for her on-site reporting during the Covid-affected 2019-20 NBA playoffs in Orlando.
Malika Andrews was recently rewarded with a new multi-year contract extension at ESPN
Courtney Cronin first joined ESPN back in 2017 as a reporter on the Minnesota Vikings
Courtney Cronin
The award-winning journalist first joined ESPN back in August 2017 as a reporter on the Minnesota Vikings. Cronin later moved to cover the Chicago Bears and she now works across the network’s platforms.
The Illinois native works as a host on EPSN Radio and also appears regularly on TV. She has featured on ‘SportsCenter’, ‘Around the Horn’ and ‘First Take.’
It has been suggested the Cronin’s background – as a traditional reporter, rather than a broadcaster – could add a new dimension to the show. And earlier this year, she enjoyed a spell guest-hosting ‘First Take’.
