Shae Cornette has become one of the recognizable women in sports television, but her rise to ESPN’s First Take didn’t happen overnight. The Chicago native built her career through local reporting, radio, college sports coverage, and years of live television experience before taking one of ESPN’s biggest hosting jobs.
In 2026, she is firmly established alongside Stephen A. Smith, bringing a calm but confident presence to one of sports media’s loudest shows. Here’s what you should know about Shae Cornette, including her age, career, husband, children, education, and latest ESPN role.
Who Is Shae Cornette?
Shae Cornette, also known as Shae Peppler Cornette, is an American sports broadcaster and television host. She currently serves as a host of ESPN’s First Take, the network’s high-profile weekday sports debate program featuring Stephen A. Smith and a rotating group of analysts and guests.
Before becoming the full-time First Take host, Cornette spent years building credibility across sports television and radio. She worked in Chicago, covered the NFL, hosted radio programs, appeared on ESPN studio shows, and eventually became a regular SportsCenter anchor.
Her career is notable because she has worked across nearly every major part of sports broadcasting. She has reported from the field, hosted studio programs, conducted interviews, moderated debates, and handled live sports coverage.
That range of experience became especially important when ESPN selected her to replace Molly Qerim as First Take host in late 2025.
How Old Is Shae Cornette in 2026?
Shae Cornette is 40 years old in 2026. Public biographical information lists her birth date as August 1, 1986, and identifies Chicago, Illinois, as her birthplace.
Her age is particularly relevant because Cornette has spent much of her adult life in sports media. Rather than becoming an overnight television personality, she gradually moved from local broadcasting into national sports coverage.
By the time she reached First Take, she already had more than a decade of experience working in sports journalism and broadcasting.
Shae Cornette Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Shae Peppler Cornette |
| Born | August 1, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois |
| Age in 2026 | 40 |
| Profession | Sports broadcaster and TV host |
| Education | Indiana University |
| Degree | Broadcast journalism and kinesiology |
| Current network | ESPN |
| Current show | First Take |
| Husband | Jordan Cornette |
| Children | Joey and Saylor |
| Previous major role | SportsCenter host |
Where Did Shae Cornette Go to College?
Shae Cornette attended Indiana University, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism and kinesiology. Her college years played an important role in shaping her future career in sports media.
While at Indiana, Cornette gained practical experience through internships and production work. She interned with MTV Networks and Showtime Networks in New York and also worked as a production assistant on Chicago Bears broadcasts for CBS.
Those early opportunities gave her something that a classroom alone couldn’t provide: experience around professional television production.
Her kinesiology background also fits naturally with her career. Understanding sports, athletes, movement, and competition can be useful for a broadcaster who spends much of her career discussing sports at a detailed level.
How Did Shae Cornette Start Her Broadcasting Career?
Cornette’s professional career began in Chicago and developed through a series of sports media positions.
She worked with the Big Ten Network and The Chicago Huddle on ABC 7 before taking on additional reporting and hosting opportunities. She later worked with Campus Insiders, which eventually became associated with Stadium.
Her Chicago career expanded significantly when she joined Fox 32.
There, Cornette became a familiar face for Chicago sports fans. She covered the Chicago Bears, anchored newscasts, hosted pregame and postgame programs, and led her own weekly sports program, Bears Unleashed.
She also developed radio experience, including work with ESPN 1000 in Chicago.
This combination of television and radio helped prepare Cornette for the fast pace of national sports broadcasting.
When Did Shae Cornette Join ESPN?
Shae Cornette joined ESPN in 2020.
Before taking on her current First Take role, she became involved in several ESPN platforms, including radio, television, and digital programming. She also worked nationally with SiriusXM NFL Radio.
One of her most interesting ESPN milestones came in 2020, when she and her husband, Jordan Cornette, co-hosted GameDay on ESPN Radio.
According to ESPN, they became the first married couple to co-host an ESPN Radio show. Their partnership combined sports debate with a more personal dynamic that naturally came from being married.
That experience helped establish Shae as more than a traditional sideline reporter. She had become a studio personality who could carry conversations, challenge opinions, and work comfortably with other broadcasters.
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Why Did ESPN Choose Shae Cornette for First Take?
ESPN officially announced Shae Cornette as the new host of First Take on October 16, 2025. Her formal debut came on November 3, 2025, following years of occasional fill-in appearances on the program.
The decision came after Molly Qerim left her role as host.
ESPN executives pointed to Cornette’s preparation, professionalism, presence, and ability to manage lively conversations as reasons she was well suited for the position.
The job is not an ordinary sports-hosting position. First Take is built around strong opinions, disagreements, personalities, and fast-moving sports stories. The host has to keep the conversation moving without allowing it to become completely chaotic.
Cornette’s background made her a logical choice.
She had already worked as a SportsCenter anchor and hosted or contributed to several ESPN studio programs. She also had experience in radio, where timing and communication are especially important.
What Is Shae Cornette’s Role on First Take?
As host of First Take, Cornette serves as the central moderator of the program.
She introduces topics, guides conversations, brings analysts into discussions, asks follow-up questions, and helps move the show from one debate to another.
Her role is especially noticeable because First Take often features strong personalities. Stephen A. Smith, NFL analysts, NBA voices, former athletes, and other guests can have dramatically different opinions.
Cornette’s job is to give those conversations structure.
In 2026, ESPN continues to list Cornette as the host alongside Stephen A. Smith.
Her role has also expanded beyond ordinary studio episodes. ESPN’s 2026 programming included Cornette on major-event editions of First Take, including coverage surrounding the College Football Playoff National Championship.
She has continued to establish herself as a national sports television personality.
What Was Shae Cornette Doing Before First Take?
Before taking over First Take, Cornette was best known to many ESPN viewers as a SportsCenter host.
She also appeared across ESPN’s studio programming and worked on college sports coverage and digital shows surrounding major sporting events.
Her résumé included work connected to football, basketball, radio, television, and live event coverage.
That variety matters because sports broadcasters often need to move between different sports and formats quickly. One day can involve NFL coverage, while another might focus on college basketball or a major breaking story.
Cornette’s previous positions gave her experience handling those changes.
Is Shae Cornette Married?
Yes. Shae Cornette is married to Jordan Cornette, a former Notre Dame basketball player and sports broadcaster.
The couple married in June 2019. They later became professional colleagues when Shae joined ESPN and the two worked together on ESPN Radio.
Their relationship has attracted attention partly because both have careers in sports media.
Jordan played college basketball at Notre Dame before moving into broadcasting. His career has included college basketball analysis and television hosting.
The couple’s professional partnership became especially unusual when they hosted ESPN Radio together. ESPN described them as the first married couple to co-host an ESPN Radio program.
Does Shae Cornette Have Children?
Yes. Shae Cornette and Jordan Cornette have two children together, Joey and Saylor.
Public reporting has described the challenges of balancing two demanding sports media careers with parenting. Cornette has spoken publicly about managing her television schedule while making time for her children and their activities.
Her husband also works in sports broadcasting, which can make the family’s schedule particularly demanding.
Cornette has described the realities of being a working mother in sports media, including coordinating school, activities, travel, and work responsibilities.
That personal side gives viewers another perspective on her career. The person appearing on television every weekday also has a busy family life away from the studio.
What Is Shae Cornette’s Net Worth?
There is no reliably confirmed public figure for Shae Cornette’s net worth.
Various celebrity and entertainment websites publish estimated figures, but these numbers generally aren’t supported by ESPN contracts, financial disclosures, or verified statements from Cornette herself.
For that reason, claims about an exact Shae Cornette net worth should be treated cautiously.
Her income likely comes primarily from her work as a professional sports broadcaster and television host. However, without verified financial records, it would be misleading to give a specific dollar amount as fact.
How Does Shae Cornette Make Money?
Her professional income may include:
- ESPN television hosting
- Sports broadcasting
- Radio and podcast appearances
- National sports programming
- Event hosting and speaking
- Other media and professional engagements
Exact contract terms and salary figures are not publicly established.
What Charitable Work Has Shae Cornette Done?
Cornette’s public profile isn’t limited to television.
She co-founded Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer, a fundraising event that has raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research, according to ESPN’s published biography.
That work is an important part of her public record because it demonstrates her involvement outside sports broadcasting.
Cornette has also been connected to charitable efforts involving the Joel Cornette Foundation.
Her charitable activities add another dimension to her career and show that her public work extends beyond sports television.
What Is Shae Cornette Like Away From Television?
Away from her broadcasting career, Cornette has publicly shown an interest in family life, outdoor activities, cycling, interior design, and spending time near the water.
She is also closely connected to Chicago sports culture.
That connection is easy to see when she discusses the Bears on First Take. Her background covering Chicago sports gives her a personal understanding of the teams and fans she discusses on national television.
At the same time, her current career has moved far beyond Chicago. ESPN has given her a national platform where she can discuss major stories across the NFL, NBA, college sports, and other competitions.
What Is New for Shae Cornette in 2026?
The biggest development in Shae Cornette’s career is her continued role as the host of First Take.
Her transition from SportsCenter to First Take marked a major change. Instead of primarily presenting sports news, she became the person responsible for steering one of ESPN’s most opinion-driven programs.
By 2026, that transition was no longer just a new assignment. Cornette had become an established part of the show’s lineup.
She has continued appearing alongside Stephen A. Smith and participating in ESPN’s major studio programming.
Her growing presence also suggests that ESPN sees her as a long-term part of its national sports coverage.
What Makes Shae Cornette’s Career Stand Out?
The most interesting thing about Shae Cornette’s career isn’t one shocking event. It’s the steady progression from local sports reporter to national television host.
Her career can be viewed as a series of stages:
- Indiana University, where she studied broadcasting and kinesiology.
- Early production and internship work, where she gained behind-the-scenes experience.
- Big Ten Network and ABC 7, where she developed her on-air skills.
- Chicago sports media, including Fox 32 and Bears coverage.
- Radio and national sports programming, including ESPN 1000 and SiriusXM.
- ESPN, where she became a radio and television personality.
- SportsCenter, which gave her a prominent national platform.
- First Take, where she took on one of ESPN’s highest-profile hosting positions.
That path is a useful reminder that major sports television jobs are often built through years of experience rather than one viral moment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shae Cornette
Who is Shae Cornette?
Shae Cornette is an American sports broadcaster and television host. She is currently a host of ESPN’s First Take and previously worked as a SportsCenter anchor and ESPN studio personality.
How old is Shae Cornette?
Shae Cornette is 40 years old in 2026. Her reported birth date is August 1, 1986.
Where is Shae Cornette from?
She is from Chicago, Illinois, where she also developed much of her early sports broadcasting career.
Where did Shae Cornette go to college?
She attended Indiana University, earning a degree in broadcast journalism and kinesiology.
Who is Shae Cornette’s husband?
Her husband is Jordan Cornette, a former Notre Dame basketball player and sports broadcaster. The couple married in June 2019.
Does Shae Cornette have kids?
Yes. She and Jordan Cornette have two children together, Joey and Saylor.
When did Shae Cornette join ESPN?
Cornette joined ESPN in 2020 after building a career in Chicago sports media and radio.
When did Shae Cornette become the host of First Take?
ESPN announced her appointment on October 16, 2025, and she officially debuted as the show’s new host on November 3, 2025.
Did Shae Cornette replace Molly Qerim?
Yes. Cornette was selected to become the new host of First Take after Molly Qerim’s departure from ESPN.
What is Shae Cornette’s net worth?
Her exact net worth has not been reliably disclosed by ESPN or Cornette. Online estimates should therefore be treated as unverified rather than confirmed financial facts.
Is Shae Cornette still on First Take in 2026?
Yes. Shae Cornette continues to serve as a host of First Take in 2026 alongside Stephen A. Smith.
Conclusion
Shae Cornette’s story in 2026 is less about a sudden breakthrough and more about years of preparation finally leading to one of sports television’s biggest chairs. From Chicago reporting and Big Ten coverage to ESPN Radio, SportsCenter, and now First Take, she has built a career across nearly every major sports media format. Her appointment as a First Take host has placed her at the center of national sports debate, while her family and charitable work add another dimension to her public life. The biggest truth about Shae Cornette is simple: her ESPN spotlight was earned over many years, not handed to her overnight.
John David is a Passionate content creator and digital publisher behind Celtrify.com, dedicated to sharing helpful insights, trending topics, and quality online resources. Focused on delivering engaging, informative, and user-friendly content for readers worldwide.
