ESPN has lost plenty of on-air talent in the last year, but they were able to re-sign one of their most prominent reporters.
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ESPN re-signed NFL insider Adam Schefter to a five-year extension. Schefter's contract was up in 2017. In addition to his work on the NFL — where he is regarded as one of the most well-respected NFL reporters in the world — Schefter will also begin moonlighting as NBA sideline reporter.
Schefter will also receive a sideline reporting assignment for ESPN's wild card game in 2017 alongside Lisa Salters, and he will start his own podcast, tentatively called "Know Them From Adam: The Adam Schefter Show" that will debut in January.
"I love what I do but you are always curious to try different things," Schefter told Sports Illustrated's Richard Dietsch. "I know people think of me as this robot who doesn't do anything outside of NFL news, injury reports, contact extensions, and hirings and firings. I love all that stuff but everyone likes to do things a little different or outside the box."
Schefter also told Dietsch he has become an NBA junkie in recent years.
"I went from knowing nothing about the NBA a couple of years ago to knowing every player on every roster," Schefter said. "It's become a side hobby and the bosses are aware of that."
Re-signing Schefter and giving him an increased role was important for ESPN. The company has lost a plethora of talent, and they needed to keep a well-respected and well-known name like Schefter.
