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Artwork for First Take
New York Knicks
NBA
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama
Lebron James
Oklahoma City Thunder
Boston Celtics
Jalen Brunson
Detroit Pistons
Los Angeles Lakers
Jaylen Brown
Philadelphia 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA Playoffs
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Basketball
Luka Doncic
NCAA Tournament
Denver Nuggets
NBA Finals

First Take is always a heated discussion as Stephen A. Smith and guests debate about the day's top stories.

PublishesDailyEpisodes229Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for First Take

Latest Episodes

Is Fanatics Fest! We have guests Logan Paul, Michael Rubin, and Robert Kraft joining us. We look ahead to the World Cup final and debate topics like is Jalen Brunson the greatest active winner in sports right now?

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Its Fanatics Fest! Lebron gives a status update and we discuss where's the best place for him to go. We look ahead to the World Cup and we talk to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.

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First Take resumes with three lions on the shirt, Infantino still gleaming. Sixty years of hurt, have y 'all officially stopped dreaming? Then, who has more to prove this coming NBA season: Tatum or Brown? Next, a year after JSN snatched the number o... more

First Take begins with Messi magic and English Disaster! Hey Jude, that match went bad. Watching Real Madrid highlights, won't make it better. Remember, Messi is the only GOAT. Then you can start, to recognize the abject heartbreak of that result! Fo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Stacey Dales
Former WNBA player and basketball analyst
ESPN/First Take
Episode: Hour 2: Can Steph and LeBron Play Together?
Herculez Gómez
Soccer/World Cup analyst, ESPN contributor
ESPN
Episode: Hour 1: Takeaways From Peterson/Dybantsa Duel?
Courtney Cronin
NFL analyst
ESPN
Episode: Hour 1: Takeaways From Peterson/Dybantsa Duel?
Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens, Celtics President of Basketball Operations
Celtics
Episode: Hour 1: Do The 76ers Give LeBron The Best Chance To Win Title?
Kevin Clark
Sports journalist
The Ringer/ESPN
Episode: Hour 1: Do The 76ers Give LeBron The Best Chance To Win Title?
Hercules Gomez
Soccer analyst
ESPN/First Take
Episode: Hour 1: Do The 76ers Give LeBron The Best Chance To Win Title?
Landon Donovan
Former US Soccer Player
US Soccer
Episode: Hour 1: Do The 76ers Give LeBron The Best Chance To Win Title?
Brek Shea
Former U.S. men's national soccer team player
Soccer
Episode: Hour 1: Where Can LeBron Win Another Ring?
Breck Shea
Former US Men's National Team player (guest)
US Soccer / Former Player
Episode: Hour 1: Will Giannis or LaMelo Be More Impactful in Their New Homes?

Hosts

Stephen A. Smith
Host of First Take; leading debate and analysis across sports
Shae Cornette
Co-host on First Take; contributor to discussion and debate

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 9.1k ratings
  • Glad I gave it another chance

    I had stop listening to this podcast when they had Keyshawn Johnson as a regular guess. At the time it seemed like the show was more of who could tell the loudest and cut off the other speaker the fastest. Thankfully they realized that format sucked now it’s my favorite podcast. Great intelligent organized discussions now

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lazy worker66479
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wemby vs Caruso

    It’s all OKC’s strategy. They put Caruso on Wemby so Wemby will think he got an easy shot because OKC put a small guy on him. But when Wemby got the pass and he turns around to dunk or take a shot, that’s when Chet came and double him. Look at how many times that happened. OKC is blitzing double team on Wemby, trying to caught Wemby off guard. What OKC under estimated is how hard Wemby played and by the time Chet go over to double team it’s too late. Also OKC don’t want to put Chet on Wemby it’s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kawhi015
    United States2 months ago
  • AMAZING

    I love this podcast so much it is easily my favorite

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I don’t jfkdncunene
    United States2 months ago
  • Just

    Terrible

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    From Another Great Admirer
    United States3 months ago
  • I WOULD TAP ROMI GOEF

    ROMI GOEF IS REALLY HOT

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Niggerdees
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate guest variety and crossover with pop culture.
Audio quality and episode consistency are common discussion points for improvement.
Listeners praise the show's energy and passion from Stephen A. and guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hour 2: How Good Are The Wizards?
Q: How do you see your role with the Bulls fitting around the current core?
Caleb Wilson described bringing leadership, toughness, and a defensive dog mentality, while also contributing offensively and growing as a scorer and playmaker to complement the existing young core.
Hour 1: Did Bucks Make a Mistake Passing on Jaylen Brown?
Q: What is the takeaway about the Bucks not taking Jaylen Brown?
The panel argues that while Brown is elite, Milwaukee may have chosen a balanced approach with multiple assets and future flexibility, and that the real decision is whether the Bucks can build around Giannis without overcommitting to one player.
Hour 2: Who Was The MVP of Game 1?
Q: Who do you think was MVP of game one?
The panel leans toward Karl-Anthony Towns as the defensive hinge that defined the game, even as Jalen Brunson's late heroics and overall leadership earned respect as the top performer of the night.
Hour 2: Should The Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown?
Q: Should the Celtics pursue Giannis in a Brown-for-Giannis swap?
The host presents the case that pairing Giannis with Tatum could be compelling, but the feasibility and long-term fit require assessments of health, asset cost, and franchise direction; answers from guests lean toward exploring a bold, but risky, upgrade rather than relying on Brown alone.
Hour 1: Live From Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42!!!
Q: What makes you confident you're ready for this moment?
Jade Cargill explains her readiness by highlighting her experience, undefeated run, and belief in bringing a unique, championship-caliber performance, asserting she's not just another challenger but a seasoned performer ready to deliver at WrestleMania.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About First Take

What is First Take about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A high-energy sports talk program features heated debates on current basketball storylines, player legacies, and front-office strategy, often mixing in cross-sport commentary and pop-culture banter. Episodes frequently center on Knicks vs. Cavaliers, team-building questions, and the role of analytics in basketball, with guests ranging from NBA analysts to entertainers providing fan perspective. A distinctive cadence blends rapid-fire takes with sharp analysis, punctuated by sponsor reads and occasional crossovers into other sports and entertainment. Noteworthy traits include guest versatility, a barbershop-style debate vibe, and a willingness to challenge narratives while highlighting broader sports media dynamics.

Where can I find podcast stats for First Take?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for First Take. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to First Take and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does First Take get?

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What are the audience demographics for First Take?

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How many subscribers and views does First Take have?

To see how many followers or subscribers First Take has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to First Take?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Take:

1. Get Up
2. Nightcap
3. Speakeasy
4. First Things First
5. Club Shay Shay

How many episodes of First Take are there?

First Take launched 15 years ago and published 229 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact First Take?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for First Take?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for First Take from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on First Take?

Recent guests on First Take include:

1. Stacey Dales
2. Herculez Gómez
3. Courtney Cronin
4. Brad Stevens
5. Kevin Clark
6. Hercules Gomez
7. Landon Donovan
8. Brek Shea

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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