ON THE ROAD
ESPN reveals special guests for live First Take show in Chicago as Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim set to return
Stephen A. has been absent for much of the last month
FIRST Take is heading on the road for a special broadcast from Chicago, Illinois.
The ESPN debate show will welcome special guests from both the NFL and the world of music on Friday morning.
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Lead analyst Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim are both booked in for the broadcast.
The show will be taped in front of a live audience at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in the Windy City.
Smith and Molly will be joined on stage by Chicago Bears wideout DJ Moore and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
There will also be entertainment from Chicago native and hip-hop superstar Chance the Rapper, per ESPN PR.
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"Admission is free, and exclusive to NABJ participants only," Molly told viewers last month.
"Doors open at 6:30 am CT, on a first come first serve seated basis.
"Chi-town we can't wait to see you, Stephen A. I am so excited, those are the best crowds."
"Oh we're gonna have a good crowd, they're gonna show up," Stephen A. added.
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Molly was absent from Thursday's edition of the show as she traveled to the Midwest in preparation for the show.
ESPN fan favorite Christine Williamson took Qerim's usual moderating seat in New York, with ex-NFL star Damien Woody sitting in for Smith.
Qerim almost unleashes F-bomb live on First Take after challenging Stephen A. Smith's replacement to arm wrestle
Stephen A. has missed much of the last month enjoying a summer vacation.
He briefly returned to the show late last month after fans claimed things were "falling apart" without him.
Smith is currently negotiating a new contract with ESPN ahead of his current deal expiring in 2025.
He reportedly wants to become the highest-earning analyst on the sports network.
Stephen A. Smith's journey through media
STEPHEN A. Smith is now the face of ESPN and an executive producer on First Take having initially started working for the company back in 2003.
Smith has held various roles with the network, including hosting radio shows, SportsCenter contributions, and appearing on NBA Countdown.
He was a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer from 1994 to 2010.
His began as an NBA writer before becoming a general sports columnist.
Before that, Smith worked as a reporter with Winston-Salem Journal, the Greensboro News, and the New York Daily News.
Stephen A. is seeking around $25 million per year, according to Puck.News.
Recent negotiations between the two parties saw ESPN offer $18 million, the outlet reports.
First Take has enjoyed a ratings bonanza since Smith's colleague Shannon Sharpe joined from FS1's Undisputed last September.
In July, the show celebrated the best first six months of a year in its history, per ESPN PR.
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Viewers to the morning program also increased for the 23rd consecutive month.
First Take airs every weekday on ESPN from 10 am Eastern.
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