The rumor mill is churning in Bristol, and this time it’s got a familiar ring to it. Stephen A. Smith has dropped a bombshell, alleging that a former ESPN star was secretly angling for the coveted hosting seat on First Take after Molly Qerim’s stunning exit.
During a recent appearance on the Flagrant and Funny podcast, Smith claimed that Cari Champion, who spent eight years at the network, reached out to him shortly after Qerim announced her departure in September. According to Smith, Champion’s pitch was direct: “We need to talk, I need to be back in that seat.”
But Champion, never one to back down, quickly shot down the accusation. “Where and when? Please tell me. How did I reach out?” she fired back, adding, “Stephen A., do you have a receipt?”
Smith, never one to let a story die, doubled down: “We need to talk, I need to be back in that seat. Did you not say that?” Champion denied it again, and the exchange devolved into laughter, but the damage was done—the internet had a new feud to chew on.
This isn’t the first time Smith and Champion have traded barbs. The two have a history of playful yet pointed exchanges, and this latest spat adds another layer to their on-again, off-again relationship. Champion has previously accused Smith of misrepresenting her career, and this latest claim seems to fit that pattern.
So, who actually landed the gig? ESPN didn’t waste any time, quickly promoting Shae Peppler Cornette, a former SportsCenter anchor, to the full-time hosting role. Cornette had been filling in since Qerim’s exit, and ESPN’s David Roberts praised her professionalism and energy, saying she “connects naturally with our show’s high-profile personalities” and has a “unique ability to keep lively debate engaging and on point.”
Cornette has stepped in seamlessly, but the drama doesn’t end there. Smith’s revelation comes on the heels of his own celebrating Ryan Clark’s Netflix deal, showing he’s not shy about stirring the pot when it comes to his colleagues’ career moves.
Whether Champion truly wanted the job or not, the speculation has reignited conversations about the show’s future and the ever-shifting landscape of sports media. With Qerim’s departure and Cornette’s arrival, First Take continues to evolve, but one thing remains constant: Stephen A. Smith is never far from the headlines.
As for Champion, she’s moved on to other projects, but this latest exchange proves that the drama between these two media titans is far from over. Fans can only wait and see if Smith produces that “receipt” he was challenged to show.
