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!
