Image via Shams Charania Twitter and ESPN

Why did Shams Charania leave The Athletic for ESPN?

Image via Shams Charania Twitter and ESPN

NBA insider Shams Charania announced on Monday that he’s moving from The Athletic to ESPN.

At 30, Charania becomes ESPN’s youngest lead newsbreaker, stepping into the shoes of his former mentor-turned-rival, Adrian Wojnarowski.

“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,” Charania shared in a post on X.

Wojnarowski retired from covering the NBA in September to take on the role of general manager for the men’s basketball team at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure. Charania outpaced several competitors, including other ESPN figures like Jeff Passan and Adam Schefter, to secure this prestigious position. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you should know.

Why did Shams Charania move from The Athletic to ESPN?

The timing of Charania’s decision was crucial. With his contracts at The Athletic and FanDuel TV close to expiration, he became one of the most sought-after talents in sports media.

NBC Sports and Prime Video also showed interest in recruiting Charania. However, ESPN’s offer proved too enticing to decline.

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

According to Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, ESPN’s Pat McAfee was one of Charania’s strongest supporters. McAfee, who frequently features Charania on his show, openly backed him for Wojnarowski’s role. “Shams Charania’s the answer. I know there’s conversations happening. … But if you take our bias out of this conversation, there’s only one answer. It’s Shams Charania,” McAfee stated.

When did Shams Charania join The Athletic?

Charania, known for his extensive coverage on trades, signings, injuries, draft picks, coaching changes, and more, started at The Athletic in August 2018 after his stint as Yahoo! Sports’ national NBA insider from 2015 to 2018. With his contract at The Athletic ending, he caught the attention of NBC, a new NBA rights holder. He had also previously worked with the streaming network Stadium but will not be returning to that role.

At one point, Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania were protegé and prodigy. But fans forget they had beef.

Woj made his name at Yahoo Sports. That's where "Woj bombs" came from- breaking major NBA news on X (formerly known as Twitter). He was so legendary with it, that a 21… pic.twitter.com/6Bqv3BZ5dm
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 7, 2024

Although Charania primarily focused on NBA reporting, he also broke significant stories in the NFL, WNBA, and both men’s and women’s college basketball, including the announcement of Bryce Young as the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.

Adrian Wojnarowski’s reaction to Shams Charania taking his ESPN role

Wojnarowski, now retired, spoke about Charania’s new role at ESPN on Jim Rome’s show.

“Shams texted me after I announced my retirement. What I told him is what I’ll say today. I hope he has as fulfilling and as rewarding of a career as I’ve had. I certainly wish that for him,” Wojnarowski said.

Adrian Wojnarowski on Shams Charania joining ESPN:

“Shams texted me after I announced my retirement. What I told him is what I would say today: I hope he has as fulfilling and as rewarding of a career as I've had.”

(via @jimrome, h/t @ClutchPoints) pic.twitter.com/DeUavyjCiy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 7, 2024

He continued, “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.” Reflecting on Charania’s announcement, Wojnarowski added, “I wish [Shams] the best and he’s got a great team around him at ESPN. I miss those guys already.”

Shams Charania’s net worth

Currently, Charania’s net worth remains unconfirmed. Reports indicate he earned between $3 million and $4 million annually during his time with The Athletic, Stadium, and FanDuel, according to Front Office Sports.

On the other hand, Wojnarowski reportedly earned $7 million per season with ESPN, based on information from the Los Angeles Times.

Wojnarowski is thought to have left behind around $20 million when he exited the industry to return to St. Bonaventure as the men’s basketball general manager. Charania’s new deal may likely be somewhere in between those figures, though the exact amount hasn’t been disclosed yet.

Image Credit: Shams Charania’s Twitter account and ESPN

Shams Charania

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
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