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.
ESPN is expected to target Shams Charania and Chris Haynes, per @MMcCarthyREV
“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.… pic.twitter.com/9oUqQ88Cxu
— Dime Alerts (@DimeAlerts) September 18, 2024
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?
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.
Marc Stein is definitely a top pick for the big role at ESPN. With nearly 15 years at ESPN and a solid stint at The New York Times, he’s got the experience and expertise to fill the shoes left by Wojnarowski. His deep knowledge of the NBA, along with his experience in soccer and tennis, shows he’s got mad skills across the board. Plus, there’s a bit of unfinished business. Stein had issues with ESPN sidelining his scoop and Woj, who later took the credit. Bringing Stein back could be a chance for him to set things right and keep making waves in sports journalism.
The other two potential candidates for ESPN to fill Adrian Wojnarowski’s role
Ramona Shelburne could totally be the next big thing for ESPN. She’s been all over the place—NBA Today, ESPN.com, ESPN Radio, and SportsCenter, showing her deep knowledge and versatility in NBA coverage. Her spot in ESPN’s elite long-form and investigative team and her contributions to ESPNW really are special.
“Shelburne has been recognized with multiple Pro Basketball Writers Association awards for column writing and breaking news,” according to her ESPN profile. Moreover, her work has been published in Sports Illustrated, Stanford Magazine, and Sports Illustrated for Women. There’s no doubt that she’s got some serious creds. From starting as a columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com to her time at the Los Angeles Daily News, Shelburne’s built a rock-solid career. So, it’ll be no surprise if ESPN chooses her to fill Woj’s shoes.
Bobby Marks could be a game-changer for ESPN. As the NBA Front Office Insider, he’s already a familiar face on NBA Today, SportsCenter, and other ESPN shows. Since he joined ESPN in 2017, he’s been crucial in covering major NBA moments like the draft, trade deadlines, and free agency.
Marks brings a fresh angle with his experience as a former Brooklyn Nets exec. He went from intern in 1995 to Assistant GM by 2010. So, he is familiar with the ins and outs of the NBA’s business and economics like nobody else. Bringing him on board would tap into his extensive background. It would also add a new depth to ESPN’s basketball reporting. What are your thoughts on this?
