Shae Peppler Cornette is a sports anchor and television host who works for ESPN’s First Take. She replaced Molly Qerim as the permanent host of the popular morning debate show in October 2025. The Indiana University graduate co-founded the charity Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer, which has raised over $200,000 for pediatric cancer research.
Shae Peppler Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Shae Peppler Cornette |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | August 1, 1986 |
| Age | 39 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Fairfield, Connecticut, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Green |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Jordan Cornette (m. 2019) |
| Children | Two (Joey and Saylor) |
| Alma mater | Indiana University |
| Profession | Sports anchor, television host |
| Net worth | $1 million – $3 million (estimated) |
Who is Shae Peppler Cornette?
Shae Peppler Cornette is a television sports anchor and host who works for ESPN. She was born on August 1, 1986, in Chicago, Illinois.
The sports journalist took over as the permanent host of ESPN’s First Take in November 2025. She works alongside Stephen A. Smith on the network’s signature morning debate show.
The Chicago native graduated from Indiana University with degrees in broadcast journalism and kinesiology. She started her media career at the Big Ten Network and later became a prominent figure in Chicago sports media.
Her work covering the Chicago Bears at Fox 32 helped establish her reputation as a skilled sports broadcaster.
How Old Is Shae Peppler? Age & Birthday
Shae Peppler is 39 years old as of January 2026. She was born on August 1, 1986, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Her zodiac sign is Leo.
Shae Peppler’s Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
The ESPN host stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 132 pounds. She has blonde hair and green eyes. Specific details about other body measurements are not publicly available.
Career
Early Career in Chicago
Shae Peppler started her broadcasting career in her hometown of Chicago. After graduating from Indiana University, she joined the Big Ten Network.
She also appeared on The Chicago Huddle on ABC 7 (WLS-TV). Her work on these platforms gave her exposure to college sports coverage and built her skills as a sports broadcaster.
She worked for Campus Insiders, which later became Stadium. Her role at this digital sports network gave her national exposure. She also made appearances on Morning Dose on WGN-TV.
Fox 32 Chicago
The sports journalist became the primary television beat reporter for the Chicago Bears at Fox 32. She anchored the station’s flagship 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. newscasts.
She hosted the pre-game and post-game shows for Bears coverage. She led her own weekly sports program called Bears Unleashed, which focused on the team and NFL news.
Her work covering Chicago’s beloved football team made her a recognizable face in the city’s sports media landscape. She left Fox 32 in early 2020 after her husband accepted a position with ESPN.
ESPN Radio
Shae Peppler joined ESPN Radio in August 2020. She co-hosted GameDay, the network’s weekly Sunday football show, with her husband Jordan Cornette.
The couple made ESPN history as the first married duo to host an ESPN Radio show together. The program aired every Sunday during the NFL season from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
She also worked as a host for SiriusXM NFL Radio. Her radio work helped her develop the conversational skills needed for studio television hosting.
ESPN Television
The sports anchor transitioned to full-time television work at ESPN. She hosted ESPN’s college sports coverage and digital shows during major sporting events.
She became a regular host for ESPN+ programming. In October 2021, she and Jordan Cornette co-hosted the relaunched SportsNation on ESPN+.
Her role expanded as she became a full-time SportsCenter anchor. She appeared regularly on ESPN’s flagship sports news program. She also co-hosted Kap & Co., a highly-rated ESPN studio show.
First Take Host
ESPN named Shae Peppler Cornette as the new host of First Take in October 2025. She replaced Molly Qerim, who left the show after nearly a decade as host.
ESPN officially announced her appointment on October 16, 2025. She made her debut as the permanent host on November 3, 2025.
The sports broadcaster hosts the show alongside Stephen A. Smith. First Take is ESPN’s signature morning debate program that airs weekdays.
The show discusses trending topics in sports and features debates between analysts and former athletes.
Stephen A. Smith praised her selection, saying she brings confidence, toughness, and sports insight to the role. Her preparation and knowledge of sports impressed network executives during the tryout period.
What is Shae Peppler’s Net Worth and Salary?
As of 2026, Shae Peppler’s net worth is estimated at between $1 million and $3 million. Her exact salary at ESPN has not been disclosed publicly. Reports indicate her predecessor Molly Qerim earned around $500,000 annually as the First Take host.
Hosting First Take, one of ESPN’s most popular shows, brings a salary increase compared to her previous SportsCenter role.
The show attracts millions of viewers and generates high ratings for the network. ESPN personalities hosting flagship shows typically earn between $500,000 and $2 million per year.
She earns income from her television hosting duties at ESPN. Her previous work at Fox 32 Chicago and ESPN Radio also contributed to her wealth.
She has worked in sports media for over 15 years, building her career from local Chicago stations to national ESPN programs.
Is Shae Peppler Married? Husband and Children
Shae Peppler is married to Jordan Cornette, a sports analyst and former Notre Dame basketball player. The couple met in 2014 while both worked for Campus Insiders.
They started dating during a difficult time when Shae’s younger sister Coley was battling Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Jordan Cornette played basketball at the University of Notre Dame from 2001 to 2005. He holds the school record for most career blocked shots with 201.
He served as team captain during his college career. His brother Joel Cornette was a Butler University basketball star who passed away in August 2016 from a heart attack at age 35.
Wedding and Marriage
The couple married on June 1, 2019. They became the first married couple to co-host an ESPN Radio show when they launched GameDay in August 2020. Jordan currently works as a college basketball analyst for NBC Sports after leaving ESPN in 2024.
Children
Shae and Jordan have two children together. Their son Joey was born in April 2021. He was named after Jordan’s late brother Joel Cornette, the former Butler basketball player. Their daughter Saylor was born in January 2023.
Jordan has a teenage son named Carter from a previous relationship. Shae has embraced her role as a stepmother. The family lives in Fairfield, Connecticut.
They own an English Cream Golden Retriever named Kobe, named in honor of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
Shae Peppler’s Family and Background
The sports host was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in a sports-loving family. Her family had dogs named Ernie Banks and Wrigley, after Chicago Cubs icons. The family held Chicago Bulls season tickets.
Shae is the oldest of four siblings. She has two younger sisters and two brothers. Her youngest sister Coley was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was a teenager.
This family tragedy inspired Shae to co-found Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer, a fundraising initiative that has raised over $200,000 for pediatric cancer research through Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Information about her parents Robyn Steger and Shirley Jones is limited in public records. She attended high school in the Chicago area before going to Indiana University.
Charity Work
The ESPN host co-founded Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer, an annual fundraising event that supports pediatric cancer research.
The initiative has raised more than $200,000 since its inception. The event raises funds for Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Her personal connection to the cause comes from her sister’s cancer battle. She uses her platform as a sports broadcaster to raise awareness about pediatric cancer.
She has spoken publicly about her family’s experience and the importance of funding cancer research.
Shae has also participated in other charitable events. She co-hosted the V Foundation for Cancer Research’s Sonoma Epicurean Weekend in March 2024. The event raised over $3.4 million for cancer research.
Education
Shae Peppler attended Indiana University Bloomington. She graduated with a dual degree in broadcast journalism and kinesiology. Her education combined media skills with sports science knowledge.
She gained practical experience through internships during college. She worked with MTV Networks and secured production opportunities with Chicago media outlets.
Her first broadcasting class at Indiana University helped her realize her natural talent for the field.
The Indiana University graduate credits her education with preparing her for a career in sports media. She remains connected to her alma mater and often references her time at IU during broadcasts.
Social Media Presence
As of January 2026, Shae Peppler Cornette has 43,000 followers on Instagram (@shaepeppler).
She regularly posts about her work at ESPN, family moments with her husband and children, and behind-the-scenes content from First Take.
Her Instagram features professional photos from her broadcasting career and personal snapshots of family life.
She has 25,266 followers on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @shaepeppler. She uses the platform to share sports commentary, promote her ESPN shows, and interact with fans.
Her bio describes her as “Currently @firsttake formally @sportscenter • Used to be Chicago Bears Reporter & Chicago Rad.”
Fast Facts About Shae Peppler
- She is the first person to replace Molly Qerim as the permanent host of ESPN’s First Take after Qerim’s decade-long tenure.
- Shae and her husband Jordan Cornette made ESPN history in 2020 as the first married couple to co-host an ESPN Radio show.
- She grew up in a Chicago sports family with dogs named after Cubs legends Ernie Banks and Wrigley.
- The sports broadcaster co-founded Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer, which has raised over $200,000 for pediatric cancer research.
- She named her son Joey after her husband’s late brother Joel Cornette, a former Butler basketball star who died in 2016.
- Before joining ESPN, she hosted her own weekly show called Bears Unleashed on Fox 32 Chicago, covering the Chicago Bears.
- She holds dual degrees from Indiana University in broadcast journalism and kinesiology.
- The family owns a golden retriever named Kobe, honoring the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
- She met her husband Jordan in 2014 while both worked for Campus Insiders digital sports network.
- Her younger sister battled Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which inspired her charitable work in pediatric cancer research.
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Wrapping Up
Shae Peppler has built a career in sports broadcasting through hard work and dedication. The Chicago native rose from local television to become the host of one of ESPN’s most-watched programs.
She brings sports knowledge, hosting skills, and personal authenticity to First Take. Her journey from covering the Chicago Bears to hosting a national debate show demonstrates her talent and perseverance in the competitive sports media industry.
References
- ESPN Press Room. Shae Peppler Cornette.
- Wikipedia. Shae Cornette.
- IndyStar. ESPN power couple Jordan and Shae Cornette on tragedy, love and life.
- Yahoo Sports. Who is Shae Cornette? Meet ESPN’s New ‘First Take’ Host.
- ESPN Press Room. ESPN Names Shae Cornette as New Host of First Take.
- New York Post. Who is Shae Cornette, the new host of ‘First Take’.
- Distractify. What Is First Take Host Shae Cornette’s Net Worth?.
- MARCA. Who is Shae Cornette? All about the First Take host who succeeds Molly Qerim.
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