Last month famed NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski announced his retirement from ESPN and the news-breaking industry after seven years with the network. As arguably the top insider in the NBA, sports fans awaited anxiously to see who his successor would be.
Woj Breaks Silence on Rival Shams Charania
On October 7th, Shams Charania was revealed to be ESPN's newest senior NBA Insider. Woj was Shams' mentor when they were both employed by Yahoo Sports. But following his move to ESPN, Shams quickly rose to the top of the industry and eventually became Wojnarwoski's fiercest rival in the news-breaking industry. However following the announcement, the recently-retired Woj had nothing but glowing things to say about his successor.
"I hope he has as fulfilling and as rewarding a career as I've had," Wojnarowski said. "I certainly wish that for him. And he's right about the incredible group of colleagues that he's going to find at ESPN."
.@Wojespn on Shams Charania taking over his old role as ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider. pic.twitter.com/I1VbHwj8u9
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) October 7, 2024
Shams will leave the New York Times' owned Athletic to join the worldwide leader in sports. An opportunity he says he is "honored" to have.
"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 tweeted on October 7.
Wojnarowski Named General Manager at Alma Mater
Despite being an alpha in his industry Wojnarowski decided it was time to say farewell. But his retirement is only from that aspect of the sports business. He left ESPN to embark on a new venture at his alma mater St. Bonaventure where he will serve as the general manager of the men's basketball team.
"I'm thrilled and humbled to return to St. Bonaventure with an opportunity to serve the university, Coach Mark Schmidt, and our elite Atlantic 10 men's basketball program," Wojnarowski said.
"In these changing times of college sports, I'm eager to join a championship program that combines high-level basketball, national television exposure, pro preparation, and NIL opportunities with an intimate, supportive educational environment."
