Skip Bayless’s return to ESPN was branded as a one-off, but after getting a taste of First Take again, it won’t be another 10 years before he debates Stephen A. Smith again. Smith and ESPN won’t care whether you asked for it;

The outspoken Bayless will join Stephen A. Smith and Shae Cornette on Friday, marking the first time the duo will appear together on “First Take” since June 2016.

The morning show's July audience was up 26 percent vs. the same month in 2022. By Rick Porter Television Business Editor ESPN‘s First Take wrapped July with a double-digit ratings gain over the same month last year, continuing a streak of year-to-year ...

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View post: Athletes and Sports Figures Who Have Died in 2026 ESPN’s longtime talk show First Take made headlines Thursday morning when the network announced it has finally selected a new host following Molly Qerim’s sudden departure on Sept. 16.

Qerim, who is a fan favourite, is a respected NBA and NFL presenter. She has hosted First Take, the network's flagship morning sports breakfast show, since 2015, but now her ten-year association with the show and fellow presenter Stephen A. Smith is ending.

Molly Qerim's departure from ESPN's 'First Take' after nearly a decade marks a significant change. ESPN President Burke Magnus acknowledged her vital role in the show's success. Qerim described her exit as a personal decision. Potential replacements ...

Stephen A. Smith pushes back on OutKick article about 'First Take's' ratings slip ahead of his scheduled reunion with former co-host Skip Bayless.