Why ESPN has competition to replace NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski after his shock retirement
Now that NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has left ESPN, his former protégé Shams Charania is being tipped by many to be his successor.
However, ESPN is facing serious competition to land the 30-year-old basketball star.
As reported by ComplexNBC is battling ESPN for Charania, whose contracts with other media outlets are expiring. NBC and its streaming arm Peacock will broadcast a combined 100 regular-season games beginning in the 2025-26 season, following the NBA’s new media rights deal.
The New York Post It was previously reported that Charania’s contracts with The Athletic and FanDuel TV will expire soon, while he left Stadium last month after six years.
Wojnarowski and Charania, who previously worked under the famed reporter at Yahoo! Sports, have often competed over stories in recent years.
Adrian Wojnarowski, affectionately known as Woj, regularly provided ESPN with scoops
He could be replaced by his former protégé, Shams Charania, although NBC is also interested
Their relationship is described as a real ‘rivalry’with fans keeping a close eye on who would be the first to deliver important news.
While Charania will be a sought-after player in the sports media market, it is not certain that he will replace Wojnarowksi.
Front Office Sports reported that Turner’s Chris Haynes will likely also be targeted by ESPN.
And Jake Visserwho also became known for his scoops and reporting at Yahoo! Sports, said on X on Wednesday that he would be leaving the company soon.
“Stay tuned,” he wrote, adding an eyeball emoji.
In a striking statement on Wednesday, Wojnarowksi announced that he was stepping down from his position at ESPN to become general manager of St. Bonaventure, his alma mater.
He said: ‘…I understand the commitment my role requires and it is an investment I am no longer willing to make. Time is not endless and I want to spend my time in ways that are more personally meaningful.
Charania is only 30 years old, but has built up an impressive network within basketball
“I leave with overwhelming gratitude for countless mentors and colleagues, subjects and stories, readers and viewers. No one has benefited more than I have from the faith, trust, and generosity of others.
“The past seven years at ESPN have been an extraordinary privilege. I am grateful to the company’s leadership — especially Jimmy Pitaro and Cristina Daglas — for understanding and accepting my decision to make a change in my life.
‘After all these years of covering everyone’s team, I’m going back to my own team.’
Wojnarowski is believed to have earned $7 million annually at ESPN.
According to the team, that number will certainly be significantly lower at St. Bonaventure, where he will oversee the assignment of names, images and likenesses, assist with recruiting and support Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt.