Shams Charania danced around Kay Adams relationship rumors after awkward moment

ESPN announced last week they are hiring longtime NBA Insider Shams Charania from the Athletic to replace the departing Adrian Wojnarowski .

In addition to his work at the Athletic, Charania was a paid contributor for Fanduel and frequently appeared on the network's show "Up & Adams" with host Kay Adams .

Many remarked on the pair's chemistry and their casual on-and-off flirting despite Charania seemingly being cast into the "friendzone" by Adams on multiple occasions.

On Valentine's Day, Adams opened a pair of shoes on-air sent to her by Charania. The box featured a note inside reading: “Kay, with much love + with much administration for you as a person! Happy Valentine’s Day."

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During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" a few days later, McAfee asked Charania if he was dating Adams while someone in the studio chirped "he got her shoes."

“That’s a great colleague of mine, I think she’s amazing,” he answered with a twinge of hesitation. “You got to know her a little bit, too. I think she’s amazing at what he does, I enjoy going on her show.

"Obviously, she has, to me, like with you, similarly, she makes me feel comfortable while I’m on her show, you make me feel comfortable.”

McAfee, looking to cut through the fluff, followed up: "You are dating?" Shams paused and answered "I wouldn't classify myself..." before he was interrupted.

Adams, 38, began hosting the "Up & Adams" show in 2022 after serving as a co-presenter on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" for six years.

She attracted dating rumors over the summer when she stuttered during an interview with the newly-bearded Daniel Jones of the New York Giants . During a September interview with Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, Adams joked "You gotta protect your boy, my boy, the world, [the] internet thinks, my boy... go protect my boyfriend."

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Sharania, 30, announced his new position at ESPN on X last week: "I am honored to join ESPN as the company's Senior NBA Insider," Charania posted to X. "I can't wait to be part of an incredible group of colleagues at ESPN and serve the sports audience worldwide."

Adams was quick to quote-tweet her former colleague. "My guy!!! Congratulations Shams," followed by a heart emoji.

Charania has started appearing on the ESPN TV circuit and made his first appearance on "First Take" Wednesday alongside Stephen A. Smith, breaking the retirement of NBA veteran Danny Green.