NBA insider among reported candidates to replace Adrian Wojnarowski makes major announcement
Adrian Wojnarowski’s stunning retirement has left ESPN scrambling for a replacement, particularly with the NBA season starting in about a month. “Woj” reportedly left roughly $20 million in his contract to leave the network and become the general manager of St. Bonaventure, his alma mater. Wojnarowski was arguably the best insider, making ESPN’s choice of replacements a tough one.
Right after Wojnarowski announced his retirement on X, formerly Twitter, basketball fans promptly speculated who the network would pick to take over. The Athletic's Shams Charania, the retired sportswriter’s biggest rival, immediately became a fan favorite to replace “Woj.” TNT's NBA insider Chris Haynes also had his share of endorsers for the job.
Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, though, may have become a dark horse in the race seat on Adrian Wojnarowski’s seat at ESPN. Fischer had fans even more interested when he posted this:
“And… this was also my last podcast as a senior NBA reporter @YahooSports. Next week, we’ll run my final article. Stay tuned.”
The podcast Jake Fischer referred to is “Devine Intervention” with Dan Devine. Incredibly enough, the topic they talked about was “trying something that scares you,” even if it meant failing. It may or may not be a hint, but Fischer’s response to that tweet has sent a surge of excitement among basketball fans.
ESPN could go with a relatively fresh face to replace Adrian Wojnarowski
If Shams Charania, whose contract with The Athletic is reportedly expiring, becomes Adrian Wojnarowski’s replacement, he should fit right in. Charania is probably the only “scooper” who can go toe-to-toe with “Woj.” Like Wojnarowski, Charania has become as sought after as the NBA players they have covered. ESPN wouldn’t miss a beat if it could sign him.
Chris Haynes is another well-known sportswriter who is a staple in high-profile NBA games. Haynes is a TNT sideline reporter who often interviews players and is set to leave the network after his contract expires. The podcaster also previously worked for ESPN.
As Adrian Wojnarowski’s replacement, ESPN could go with tried and tested talent like Haynes and Charania. Or, it could go with someone relatively fresh to become the network’s next big star.
Jake Fischer should be a solid candidate for the job. He has extensive work as a writer and reporter. Fischer spent four years at Sports Illustrated before joining Bleacher Report. He was with BR for nearly two years before taking his talents to Yahoo Sports.
Fischer has been with his present company for a little over two years as a senior NBA reporter. He has had his share of breaking surprises and “bombs,” but arguably not on the same level as Adrian Wojnarowski’s stories. Fischer isn’t on social media or TV as much as Chris Haynes or Shams Charania.
Wojnarowski was with Yahoo before becoming a legend at ESPN, and Jake Fischer could follow in those footsteps.
Also read: "Probably an exhausting role": NBA fans weigh in on Adrian Wojnarowski reportedly leaving $20 million on the table to retire