Rephonic
Artwork for First Take
New York Knicks
NBA
Victor Wembanyama
Lebron James
San Antonio Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics
Detroit Pistons
NFL
Seattle Seahawks
Jalen Brunson
NBA Playoffs
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Cleveland Cavaliers
Bill Belichick
New England Patriots
Sam Darnold
Denver Nuggets
Luka Doncic

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 major potential trades in the NBA. LeBron may be on his way to Golden State, and Kawhi to Toronto. Which move would immediately turn their squad into contenders? Then, are Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic truly defensive liabilit... more

First Take begins with NBA free agency mayhem! LeBron is linked to Golden State, Kawhi might be headed back to the north, and Jaylen Brown is feeling the hate from everyone in the NBA! Which contender can change their fortune this offseason? Has any ... more

First Take resumes with our two blockbuster trades. Giannis landed in South Beach, and Ant received a brand new superstar in LaMelo Ball. Which player has more pressure to reach the finals next season? Then, which contender needs Jaylen Brown the mos... more

First Take begins with Giannis and LaMelo! Who will be more impactful in their new role? Then, team USA suffered their first loss of the World Cup. Türkiye took down mostly American backups, assuring the US will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round o... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Reggie Miller
Basketball analyst who weighed Giannis' destination
TNT/ESPN media presence
Episode: Hour 2: Best Landing Spot For Giannis?
PK. Subban
Former NHL defenseman, analyst
NHL/ESPN
Episode: Hour 2: Finals MVP Jalen Brunson Roasts Stephen A. Smith!!!
Roger Bennett
Founder of Men in Blazers Media Network
Men in Blazers Media Network
Episode: Hour 2: Can the Spurs Force a Game 7?
Magic Johnson
Basketball Hall of Famer, legendary Lakers player
Lakers (former)
Episode: Hour 1: Magic Johnson Talks Knicks/Spurs!!!
Kendrick Perkins
Former NBA player, basketball analyst
ESPN/First Take (guest appearance)
Episode: Hour 2: Is Game 4 of The NBA Finals a Must Win For The Knicks?
Mark Messier
Hockey Hall of Famer
NHL, Hockey Hall of Fame
Episode: Hour 1: Reaction to Trump's Comments About Stephen A?
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?

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 States20 days 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 Statesa month 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 States2 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: 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.

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. 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?

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?

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What guests have appeared on First Take?

Recent guests on First Take include:

1. Reggie Miller
2. PK. Subban
3. Roger Bennett
4. Magic Johnson
5. Kendrick Perkins
6. Mark Messier
7. Stacey King
8. Carl Anthony Towns

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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