Shams Charania announced he has joined ESPN "as the company's Senior NBA Insider" (X, 10/7). At 30 years old, Charania "is the youngest lead news breaker in ESPN history." Charania has previously worked at The Athletic and Stadium, but he recently left Stadium after six years. Charania replaces "his former mentor-turned-rival" Adrian Wojnarowski, who left ESPN to become the men's basketball GM at his alma mater St. Bonaventure. Charania "had a big booster in Pat McAfee," as he was a "frequent guest" on the former punter's ESPN show. McAfee "both publicly and privately lobbied ESPN brass to bring in Charania following Wojnarowski's stunning retirement" (N.Y. POST, 10/7).
I am honored to join ESPN as the company’s Senior NBA Insider. I can’t wait to be part of an incredible group of colleagues at ESPN and serve the sports audience worldwide. pic.twitter.com/sBDFGIpkb6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 7, 2024
Here's how the sports world reacted on X to ESPN hiring Charania:
- NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: Congrats my dude!!!
- FanDuel TV's Kay Adams: my guy!!!!! Congratulations Shams!
- ESPN's Pat McAfee: BREAKING: @ShamsCharania has OFFICIALLY signed with ESPN as the Senior NBA Insider HELLL YEAH SHAMS
- ESPN's Jeff Passan: Baseball's better anyway.
- NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach: Congrats, Shams! Happy for you and for them.
- Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor: Congratulations Shams!
