The winds of change have finally touched the mighty sports media giant, ESPN. Following an illustrious career in the news industry, Adrian Wojnarowski handed in a trade request, a trade that permanently took him away from sports journalism. In return, ESPN got an All-Star player in the media game, to say the least. It was the turn of the master’s apprentice, Shams Charania—the one formerly approved by Woj as a great talent even before they worked together.

As Shams Charania took a seat on The Hoop Collective podcast, memories from his early career started flooding back. He reflected on how, in his late teens, he spent nights attending NBA games with Adrian Wojnarowski and host Brian Windhorst, instead of partying with friends. This commitment often left him questioning his path. However, Windy’s appreciation during that time was the validation Shams needed to keep going. Then, it was ESPN veteran Windhorst’s turn to recount their shared history.

“Shams would drive down to Indiana,” Windy started narrating the story to sportswriter Ramona Shelburne. And that’s where a secret was revealed. “So, like, I think that may have been that same year was one of the Heat, Pacers playoff games, and there were 3 of us sitting in a row. Shams was sitting and then Woj and then me.” Finally, he brought into light the secret conversation that he and Woj had in Charania’s absence. “Shams went to the bathroom or something. And I pulled Woj aside and I go, this kid is really, really good. And Woj is like, I know.” Wojnarowski always knew the special talent Shams was and only helped that flourish further.

Windhorst mentioned that, at the time, he was at ESPN while Woj was working for Yahoo. “Woj said, ‘I had like a 5-minute conversation about him. Woj was all over him too,'” Windhorst revealed. The rest, as we know, is history, with the duo’s careers now closely followed by NBA fans everywhere.

Shams Charania soon climbed up the ladder of success. His reporting caught the attention of Yahoo and in no time he was recruited by the organization. Charania received mentorship under Adrian Wojnarowski, who he greatly admired. But things went south when Woj joined ESPN and Shams moved to The Athletic and Stadium.

However, no one could anticipate that their alleged rivalry would end with Charania replacing Wojnarowski. After the latter announced his retirement, there was an exchange of messages between the two, which Woj recently revealed.

Adrian Wojnarowski opens up about Shams Charania’s message following ESPN move

Despite speculation about a rivalry between Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania, their personal exchange paints a different picture. During his appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Woj revealed that Shams messaged him after his big announcement and Woj’s heartfelt reply after Shams joined ESPN is sure to melt everyone’s heart.

“What I told him is what I would say today,” Wojnarowski began. “I hope he has as fulfilling and as rewarding of a career as I’ve had. And I certainly wish that for him.” Praising his former co-workers, Woj added, “He’s right about the incredible group of colleagues that he’s going to find at ESPN, the best of the best, incredible reporters, on-air talent … Wish him the best, and he’s got a great team around him at ESPN.”

Shams Charania probably could not have expected a more heartfelt greeting from his idol-turned-competitor. And Wojnarowski yet again showed with his kind words why he is regarded as one of the leading figures in the sports journalism field.