ESPN has had a rollercoaster ride of a year, and the turbulence won’t be ending anytime soon.
The network has had to deal with the uncertain futures of First Take as well as their talent, which includes Dan Orlovsky and Molly Qerim.
ESPN has made changes to First Take while also dealing with the futures of Stephen A., Qerim, and Dan Orlovsky[/caption]
ESPN has to manage hundreds of personalities on a daily basis.
But the network has had to decide on the futures of numerous prominent members, including the NFL analyst Orlovsky.
Back in February, Orlovsky, who joined ESPN in 2018, signed off on First Take and shared that his future was uncertain with the network.
A month later, the network signed the fiery First Take star Stephen A. Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract.
But ESPN also had to decide on the future of Orlovsky, whose contract ran out in the summer.
On July 9, ESPN announced that Orlovsky signed a “multi-year agreement” to remain with the network.
The 39-year-old will continue his duties on NFL Live,
But on Wednesday, it was announced by ESPN that Orlovsky has signed a “multi-year agreement” to remain with the network.
ESPN also revealed that Orlovsky will continue his duties on NFL Live, First Take, and Get Up, among other shows, and his work as a game analyst for Monday Night Football‘s No. 2 team.
The future of First Take host Qerim and analyst Stephen A. has also been under a microscope.
The pair last appeared on the program late last month.
The 41-year-old Qerim revealed on July 1 that she’ll be back working on the show later this month as she’ll be on vacation with her family.
And ESPN BET’s associate director of communications, John R. Manzo, announced that Smith is taking a “well-deserved vacation into July” and that he will be away until closer to the start of the NFL season.
ESPN has also changed the broadcasting locations of numerous programs.
Earlier this year, the network decided to end the Los Angeles-based edition of SportsCenter.
ESPN has also downsized other properties that are based in the West Coast studio.
And First Take moved its studios from South Street Seaport to Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan.
ESPN is currently focusing on Wimbledon and the MLB All-Star break for its summer coverage.
But ESPN will soon shift its gears to the 2025 NFL season – a time when Stephen A. and Orlovsky will be on television daily, and the upcoming NBA season – a time when Inside the NBA will be broadcast for the first time on the network.
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.
Its December average of 611,000 was a 24% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
