Shae Cornette is an American sports broadcaster and television personality widely recognised as the host of ESPN’s flagship morning debate show, First Take. The Chicago-born journalist rose to national fame through her work at ESPN Radio, SportsNation, and SportsCenter before taking over the coveted seat next to Stephen A. Smith. She is also known as the wife of sports analyst Jordan Cornette, with whom she made ESPN Radio history as the first married couple to co-host a show on the network.
Shae Peppler Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Shae Peppler Cornette |
| Nickname | Shae Peppler |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 1 August 1986 |
| Age | 39 years old (as of April 2026) |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Fairfield, Connecticut, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 128 lbs (58 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Jordan Cornette (m. 2019) |
| Children | 2 (Joey and Saylor), plus a stepson |
| Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington |
| Profession | Sports anchor, broadcast journalist |
| Net worth | $1 million – $3 million (estimated) |
| @shaepeppler |
Who is Shae Cornette?
Shae Peppler Cornette is an American television sports anchor based in Connecticut. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, in a family that instilled in her a deep love for sports at an early age.
She built her profile in Chicago media before moving to the national stage with ESPN in 2020. In October 2025, the network announced she would replace Molly Qerim as the permanent host of First Take.
Her journey from a local Chicago reporter to the host of one of ESPN’s most-watched programmes reflects years of steady work across radio, digital shows, and studio broadcasting. Fans also recognise her for her philanthropic efforts in pediatric cancer research.
How old is Shae Cornette? Age and birthday
Shae Cornette is 39 years old as of April 2026. She was born on 1 August 1986 in Chicago, Illinois, which makes her zodiac sign Leo. Wikipedia lists her birth year as 1986, placing her age between 39 and 40 depending on the time of reading.
Shae Cornette’s height, weight, and body measurements
Shae stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 7 inches, or around 170 centimetres. She weighs about 128 pounds (58 kilogrammes), though the sportscaster has never publicly shared her exact body statistics.
She has blonde hair and striking blue eyes, features that have become part of her on-screen presence at ESPN.
Education
Cornette attended Indiana University Bloomington, where she studied broadcast journalism with a minor in kinesiology.
During her university years, she completed internships with MTV Networks and Showtime Networks and served as a production assistant for CBS coverage of Chicago Bears games.
Career
Shae launched her broadcasting career in her hometown of Chicago. She began working for the Big Ten Network and appeared on The Chicago Huddle on WLS-TV (ABC 7). She then joined Campus Insiders, which later became Stadium, covering college football and basketball as a sideline reporter.
She spent two years as a field reporter and weekend sports anchor at WFLD (Fox 32), where she became the go-to television reporter for the Chicago Bears.
She anchored newscasts, hosted pre- and post-game shows, and led her own weekly programme titled Bears Unleashed. During the same period, she co-hosted Kap & Co. on ESPN 1000 alongside David Kaplan.
Move to ESPN
In March 2020, Shae relocated to Connecticut and joined ESPN Radio as a co-host of the weekly football show GameDay alongside her husband.
The pair became the first married couple to host an ESPN Radio programme. She also picked up hosting duties on SiriusXM’s NFL Radio channel.
SportsNation, SportsCenter, and First Take
In October 2021, Shae and Jordan became the hosts of the relaunched daily ESPN+ show SportsNation. Her role at the network continued to grow, and she became a regular anchor for SportsCenter.
On 16 October 2025, ESPN announced her as the new host of First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith. She made her official debut on 3 November 2025.
What is Shae Cornette’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Shae Cornette’s net worth is estimated at between $1 million and $3 million, based on reports from Times Now News and Distractify.
Her exact salary has not been disclosed publicly by ESPN. Industry observers believe her compensation rose sharply after her promotion to First Take, given the show’s status as one of ESPN’s top-rated morning programmes.
Income sources
Her wealth comes primarily from her long-running television career at ESPN, radio hosting duties on ESPN Radio and SiriusXM, brand partnerships, and public appearances.
She also earns income from her philanthropic platform and speaking engagements tied to her charity work.
Is Shae Cornette married? Husband and dating history
Yes, Shae is happily married to Jordan Cornette, a sports analyst and former Notre Dame basketball player. The two met in 2014 while working together at Campus Insiders in Chicago.
They tied the knot on 1 June 2019 after a love story rooted in shared tragedy, as they connected during a period when Shae’s sister was battling stage 4 cancer and Jordan’s brother, former Butler basketball star Joel Cornette, had passed away.
Children
The couple has two biological children together. Their son, Joey, was born in April 2021 and was named in honour of Jordan’s late brother Joel.
Their daughter, Saylor, arrived in January 2023. Shae is also a stepmother to Jordan’s son from a previous relationship.
Social media presence
As of April 2026, Shae is active on Instagram under the handle@shaepeppler, where she shares glimpses of her work at First Take, family moments, country music interests, and her love for local coffee shops.
Her feed blends professional updates from the ESPN studio with lifestyle content that reflects her move from Chicago to Connecticut.
Fast facts about Shae Cornette
- She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, in 1986.
- Her maiden name is Peppler, and she often still goes by Shae Peppler on air.
- She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in kinesiology.
- She co-founded Fashion’s Fight Against Cancer, which has raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research.
- She is the first woman alongside her husband to have co-hosted an ESPN Radio programme as a married couple.
- She co-hosted the 2024 V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean Weekend, which raised over $3.4 million for cancer research.
- Her favourite hobbies include cycling, interior design, and outdoor adventures with her English Cream Golden Retriever named Kobe.
- Her dog Kobe was born on the same day NBA legend Kobe Bryant passed away.
- She replaced long-time host Molly Qerim on First Take after Qerim’s ten-year run on the show.
- Her debut episode on First Take aired on 3 November 2025.
Read more: Paula Ebben Wikipedia: Age, net worth, salary, husband, family, career
Wrapping up
Shae Cornette has carved out her space as one of the most recognisable voices in American sports broadcasting.
From her early days at Big Ten Network in Chicago to replacing Molly Qerim on ESPN’s First Take, her career reflects steady growth grounded in hard work, authenticity, and genuine love for the game.
Together with her husband Jordan and their three children, she balances the demands of morning television with family life in Connecticut and her ongoing charity work for cancer research.
References
- Wikipedia. “Shae Cornette”.
- ESPN Press Room. “Shae Peppler Cornette”.
- Sports Illustrated. “Who Is Shae Cornette? Everything to Know About Molly Qerim’s First Take Replacement”.
- ESPN Front Row. “Jordan Cornette and Shae Peppler Cornette Make ESPN Radio History”.
- IndyStar. “ESPN power couple the Cornettes: Their love was born amid tragedy and loss”.
- New York Post. “Who is Shae Cornette, the new host of ‘First Take’”.
- Distractify. “What Is First Take Host Shae Cornette’s Net Worth?”.
- Moffly Media. “The real-life love story of Jordan and Shae Cornette”.
Disclaimer: The information on Star Vistiq is collected from trusted public sources. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact: info@starvistiq.com.
