New ‘First Take’ and TNT College Hoops analysts

Sport & Story Daily October 1, 2025: Bruce Pearl is the new TNT college hoops analyst while Shae Cornette is the new 'First Take' host.

October 17, 2025

New ‘First Take’ and TNT College Hoops analysts

October 17, 2025

Bruce Pearl Joining TNT As College Hoops Analyst
Former Auburn Tigers coach is the new college basketball analyst for TNT Sports. He is a four-time SEC Coach of the Year. He will team up with fellow studio analysts Jalen Rose and Jamal Mashburn, along with Adam Lefkoe for TNT’s coverage of the Big East and Big 12. Pearl has worked at ESPN as an analyst for tow years before joining Auburn in 2014.
Front Office Sports

Adidas Signs High School Basketball Phenom Kaleena Smith, the first deal with Candace Parker as President of Women’s Basketball.
High school women’s basketball player Kaleena Smith is the first athlete to sign with Adidas since WNBA icon Candace Parker became the president of Adidas Women’s Basketball. Smith is a sophomore at Ontario Christian High School in California who has racked up several accolades.
MSN

NBA Season About Tip Off With New TV Deal—but No LeBron James
The 2025-26 NBA season has two new media partners in its 11-year $77 billion media-rights deal: NBC and Amazon. Games will be on multiple platforms, including the NBA’s first exclusively streamed games on Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. For the first time in a record 23-year NBA career, LeBron James will not be available to play on opening night. He is out for at least 3-4 weeks due to sciatica.
Front Office Sports

WSL Football brings Apple products to the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2
WSL Football and Apple are collaborating to transform the way the game is played, coached, officiated and experienced. The gam-changing move will help players, coaches and analysts to drive better performance standards and elevate the game.
WSL

Oxford United’s new stadium plans receive government approval
Oxford United received confirmation that the Secretary of State is content with the new stadium planning application to be determined by the local planning authority. The club only needs to have the agreement that sets out its financial contributors to infrastructure improvements finalized.
The Stadium Business

ESPN picks Shae Cornette as Molly Qerim's replacement on 'First Take'
ESPN has named Shae Cornette as Molly Qerim’s replacement on ‘First Take.’ Cornette was among the many guest hosts to appear on the show following Qerim’s departure in September. Cornette joined ESPN in 2020 and has recently served as a college football host and an anchor on SportsCenter.
Yahoo Sports

AXS Appoints Nikhil Bobde as Chief Technology Officer and Names Alex Hazboun Chief Innovation Officer
Ticketing and live event technology company AXS announced two key leadership appointments. Nikhil Bodbe was named the Chief Technology Officer. Alex Hazboun was named to the newly created position of Chief Innovation Officer. The new appointments come with the company’s upgrades to infrastructure, ticketing system enhancements and new user experience features.
News Break

Columbus Clingstones. Assistant General Manager
The Columbus Clingstones are seeking a highly motivated, results-oriented sales professional to generate and develop new sponsorship sales revenue including but not limited to, entitlement rights, stadium signage & experiences, in-game promotions, digital, print, radio, hospitality, and promotional nights. The AGM will take a hands-on approach to selling and managing the Columbus Clingstones sponsorship and advertising products while providing some strategic and analytical support to the broader team. The Director, Corporate Partnerships will report to and collaborate with the General Manager & Assistant General Manager. Apply Now.

Tennessee Titans. Director of Talent and Development
The Director of Talent and Development will serve as a strategic leader within our People & Culture team who champions our "draft, develop, & retain" philosophy by designing and executing comprehensive talent development strategies. This role will report to the Vice President of People & Culture and oversee recruitment support, leadership development programming, skills-based training initiatives, and engagement experiences. Apply Now.

Savannah Bananas. Assistant Athletic Trainer
Utilizing a collaborative approach, the Sports Medicine Team strives to treat the whole athlete by providing a professional and nurturing environment to promote the well-being in sport and life. In accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia and the Code of Professional Practice and Standards of Practice of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Sports Medicine Department is responsible for providing quality healthcare for all Fans First Entertainment athletes in the most efficient & beneficial manner possible. Apply Now.

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Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines
The Big 12 fined Kansas and Texas Tech $25,000 each for tortillas, false claim about a knife and complaints about the conference. Texas Tech beat Kansas 42-17 on Saturday in Lubbock. The Big 12 banned the long-standing tradition of the Red Raider fans throwing tortillas onto the field. The practice has still continued despite the ban. The game ended in a heated exchange between the head coaches.
Front Office Sports

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