Shams Charania ESPN deal speaks volumes after controversial budget cuts

ESPN has hired former rival Shams Charania as the company’s new senior NBA insider , after long-time employee Adrian Wojnarowski announced his decision to retire from journalism on Sept. 18.

Charania worked for both Stadium and The Athletic but announced he would be taking on the coveted role on Monday with the new NBA season just weeks away. "I am honored to join ESPN as the company’s Senior NBA Insider," Charania wrote on X.

"I can’t wait to be part of an incredible group of colleagues at ESPN and serve the sports audience worldwide," he concluded. For years Charania and Wojnarowski battled for the top NBA stories, with the two senior reporters seen as the biggest profiles in the space.

Wojnarowski decided to retire from the news industry after a 37-year career. Seven of which were spent at ESPN . He has since changed careers and become the general manager of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball team, and now Charania has taken over Wojnarowski's former role.

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Front Office Sports reported that Charania was negotiating with ESPN but talks were at the "five-yard-line" despite the reporter being the overwhelming favorite to replace Wojnarowski based on his similar position. It was unsure whether Charania would trade roles, but Pat McAfee demanded that ESPN push for the hire during his weekday show on the company's network.

"Shams Charania’s the answer. I know there are conversations happening. ...But if you take our bias out of this conversation, there’s only one answer. It’s Shams Charania," Pat McAfee said on his "Pat McAfee Show" recently.

It wasn't made clear whether ESPN would replace Wojnarowski, following major lay-offs within the company. Senior NBA writer Zach Lowe was one of the shock names to be let go by ESPN, with the company recently agreeing a new rights deal with the NBA and proceeding to make some internal changes.

The new 11-year rights deal saw Disney (ABC and ESPN), Comcast (NBA and Peacock), and Amazon given clearance to air all games from the 2025-26 season through the 2035-36 season. The total package will see the NBA earn approximately $76 billion dollars, and also hand the broadcasting companies exclusivity benefits.

The new TV rights deal has increased by 160 percent each season compared to the previous contract, per Forbes , but will include a record number of national games on television. Companies needed to restructure after agreeing to the new package, although the deal to hire Charania from a direct rival was an opportunity ESPN couldn't bypass.

There have been other exciting hires within the company too, as former NFL center Jason Kelce joined the broadcasting team for "Monday Night Football". Week 5 of the NFL season will be a special one for Kelce, with brother Travis looking to inspire a home win for the Kansas City Chiefs with Taylor Swift expected to attend.