With NBA pundit Adrian Wojnarowski leaving ESPN, many are pointing to his former protégé Shams Charania as a possible replacement.
However, ESPN faces stiff competition to sign the 30-year-old basketball player.
As reported by ComplexNBC is competing with ESPN for Charania, whose contracts with other networks are about to expire. NBC and its streaming division Peacock will show a total of 100 regular-season games starting in the 2025-26 season, following the NBA’s new streaming rights deal.
He The New York Post It was previously reported that Charania’s deals with The Athletic and FanDuel TV will soon end, while he left Stadium last month after six years.
Wojnarowski and Charania, who previously worked with the renowned journalist at Yahoo! Sports, have often competed for stories in recent years.
Adrian Wojnarowski, affectionately known as Woj, provided frequent scoops for ESPN.
He could be replaced by his former protégé, Shams Charania, although NBC is also interested.
Their relationship has been described as a true ‘rivalry’with fans closely following who was the first to break important breaking news.
However, while Charania will be a hot commodity in the sports media market, it is not certain that he will replace Wojnarowksi.
Reception sports reported that Turner’s Chris Haynes will likely also be in ESPN’s sights.
AND Jake Fisherwho also became known for his scoops and reporting on Yahoo! Sports, told X on Wednesday that he would soon leave the company.
“Stay tuned,” he wrote along with an eyeball emoji.
In a surprise statement Wednesday, Wojnarowksi announced he was stepping down from his post at ESPN to become the general manager of St. Bonaventure, his alma mater.
He said: “…I understand the commitment my role requires and it is an investment I no longer feel obligated to make. Time is not infinite and I want to use mine in ways that are most meaningful to me personally.”
Charania is only 30 years old but has built an impressive network within basketball.
“I leave with overwhelming gratitude to my countless mentors and colleagues, my subjects and my stories, my readers and my viewers. No one has benefited more than I from the faith, trust and generosity of others.
‘The last seven years at ESPN have been a special privilege. I am grateful to the company’s leaders, especially Jimmy Pitaro and Cristina Daglas, for understanding and accepting my decision to make a life change.
“After all these years of reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m back on my own.”
Wojnarowski is believed to have earned $7 million annually at ESPN.
That number is certain to be significantly lower at St. Bonaventure, where he will oversee name, image and likeness assignment, assist with recruiting and assist Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt, according to the team.
