ESPN has evolved because the viewing habits have evolved.
I don't intentionally watch SportsCenter anymore because all that content is pretty much online, and I don't have to sit through highlights and interviews I don't care about anymore.
First Take does extremely well in the ratings, and it did even better with Skip and SAS.
Talk shows work better than most anything in the morning, and it isn't just happening on ESPN, either.
Finally, ESPN analyzes the ratings, a lot. If some of you jackholes would quit citing and referencing ESPN personalities, and watching them, they wouldn't be on as much.
Edited to add: The only time I watch ESPN for non sporting events is when I'm in a waiting room, hotel lobby, etc and someone else has it on. I'm not a fan, but I also just don't have time, either.