Rephonic
Artwork for First Take
New York Knicks
NBA
Lebron James
NFL
Victor Wembanyama
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons
Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Darnold
NBA Playoffs
Super Bowl
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Brunson
New England Patriots
Bill Belichick

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

First Take resumes with Knicks Fan's craziness heading into game 3! Trump's presence at the Garden forced all watch parties outside of MSG to be cancelled. Will the president's presence disrupt the Knicks momentum? Then, with a ring, do you put Bruns... more

First Take begins with MSG expectations!! Is this going to be the most raucous crowd of all time? Will President Trump's presence impact the team in a positive or negative manner? Then, Jalen Brunson is cashing in clutch shots like 2018 LeBron! Which... more

First Take resumes with major star power! Who needs to have a bigger game: the River Walk monk, or the braided magician from the mean streets of Manhattan? (0:00) Then, Shump tells us if he would have struggled more guarding SGA or Brunson. (14:00) N... more

First Take is live from San Antonio breaking down tonight's must win game 2 for the Spurs! Wilbon gives us some historical context on how deadly it may be for the Spurs to go down 0-2, while Windy has the inside info on where each locker room's confi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Fat Joe
Rapper and Knicks superfan, invited guest on the show
DJ/broadcast guest on First Take
Episode: Hour 2: Will Knicks Fan's Momentum Be Disrupted?
Stacey King
Bulls broadcaster, former NBA champion
Chicago Bulls
Episode: Hour 1: What Do You Expect From The Garden Tonight?
Carl Anthony Towns
Knicks forward/center focused on defensive and offensive role
Minnesota Timberwolves (speaking as NBA player guest on Knicks/Spurs series coverage)
Episode: Hour 2: Does Wemby Or Brunson Need to Show Out More in Game 2?
Malika Andrews
Sports reporter
ESPN
Episode: Hour 2: Does Wemby Or Brunson Need to Show Out More in Game 2?
Amon Shumpert
Former NBA player
Guest on set
Episode: Hour 1: Is Game 2 a Must Win for the Spurs?
Charles Barkley
NBA analyst, commentator
Bleacher Report/Turner
Episode: Hour 2: Who Was The MVP of Game 1?
AJ Brown
NFL wide receiver, traded from Philadelphia Eagles to New England Patriots
New England Patriots (team at time of discussion)
Episode: Hour 1: Gone Garrett
Chiney Ogwumike
Analyst invited onto the show
ESPN
Episode: Hour 2: Wemby or Knicks Depth A Bigger Concern?
Steve Smith
NFL analyst, making a debut appearance on First Take
ESPN/Professional Football Network
Episode: Hour 1: Does The Spurs Winning Game 6 Mean Anything?

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
  • AMAZING

    I love this podcast so much it is easily my favorite

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I don’t jfkdncunene
    United Statesa month ago
  • Just

    Terrible

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    From Another Great Admirer
    United Statesa month ago
  • I WOULD TAP ROMI GOEF

    ROMI GOEF IS REALLY HOT

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Niggerdees
    United States2 months ago
  • Stephen A is the best

    I wanna talk about how good this podcast/TV show is. Stephen A is I think the best sports analyst in the world and I’m not over exaggerating he is amazing always listen to him for the newest news on sports. I love the NFL and College basketball and this podcast keeps me up-to-date with everything going on in sports. Keep up the great work and shout out to Stephen.A

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SwimmingAAA
    Canada2 months ago
  • Episode are not uploading

    Help

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Smooth008
    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.

YouTube
#57
United States/Popular Podcasts
Spotify
#28
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Sports
YouTube
#136
Canada/Popular Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#64
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#177
Australia/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Hour 1: What Statement Did Michigan Make With Title Win?
Q: What statement did Michigan make last night about their program and place in college basketball?
Dusty May indicated that Michigan's tournament run demonstrated depth, a cohesive team system, and willingness of multiple players to contribute, which together form a blueprint for sustained success rather than relying on a single star.
Hour 2: Better Case for MVP: SGA or Wemby?
Q: Your fiancee Lash Legend has won a women's title; what would it mean for both of you to hold titles at the same time?
Trick Williams explains that sharing title successes would symbolize their joint journey, as they plan to progress together in and out of the ring, reinforcing their bond and brand.

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.

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How many subscribers and views does First Take have?

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Which podcasts are similar to First Take?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Take:

1. Get Up
2. Nightcap
3. First Things First
4. Speakeasy
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?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for First Take?

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What guests have appeared on First Take?

Recent guests on First Take include:

1. Fat Joe
2. Stacey King
3. Carl Anthony Towns
4. Malika Andrews
5. Amon Shumpert
6. Charles Barkley
7. AJ Brown
8. Chiney Ogwumike

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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