With Adrian Wojnarowski retiring from ESPN, the big question now is: who’ll step into his massive shoes? Michael McCarthy reports that ESPN is eyeing a few candidates. From what he’s saying, Shams Charania, Woj’s former Yahoo Sports protégé, and former ESPN reporter Chris Haynes are top contenders.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania have long been at the top of the NBA reporting game, known for their killer connections and inside scoops. Charania, who got to learn from Woj during their time at Yahoo Sports, has since made a name for himself with major breaking news. Now that he’s a free agent, Charania’s mix of experience and Woj’s influence makes him a strong pick for ESPN.
Polls of the day Poll 1 of 5 Who do you think should replace Adrian Wojnarowski at ESPN? Shams Charania Marc Stein Chris Haynes Ramona Shelburne Brian Windhorst Do you think Carmelo Anthony’s trade to the Knicks was a mistake? Absolutely No way Maybe Not sure Whats your Perspective on: Have an interesting take? Join The Debate Can the Brooklyn Nets truly redeem Ben Simmons’ career? Absolutely No way Only time will tell Depends on his effort Who do you think is the most influential figure in the WNBA right now? Angel Reese A’ja Wilson Candace Parker Caitlin Clark
Next up, we have Chris Haynes, who is a total Swiss Army Knife in sports journalism. From sideline reporting and breaking news to crafting deep-dive features across all kinds of media, he’s done it all. Now that he’s a free agent, he’s a strong contender to step into the giant shoes left by Wojnarowski. “My sources tell me ESPN will likely talk to Shams Charania, Wojanrowski’s former Yahoo Sports protégé, and former ESPNer Chris Haynes. Both are pending free agents, according to the New York Post. The 30-year-old Charania’s deals with The Athletic, Stadium, and FanDuel are all up. Ditto for the 42-year-old Haynes, who has plenty of on-camera experience,” Front Office Sports reported Michael McCarthy wrote.