Dropping Wojnarowski is a hammer blow to ESPN so near the brand new NBA season. Solely Shams Charania is at an analogous stage concerning insider connections and respect from the broader NBA fan base. Nevertheless, ESPN does have choices accessible to it.
According to the New York Post, Charania is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his present cope with The Athletic. As such, he will probably be a chief candidate to interchange Wojnarowski subsequent 12 months. However, ESPN has different choices who might probably step into the function instantly. Outdoors of Charania, listed below are the highest three replacements to step in for Wojnarowski.
Jake Fischer | Yahoo Sports activities
Fischer is a well-respected determine inside NBA media who has earned his stripes with SB Nation, Bleacher Report and now Yahoo Sports activities. He is a identified insider with connections across the NBA. Transferring to ESPN would doubtless improve his potential to get scoops and turn out to be one of many main news-breakers within the NBA. He already has sufficient expertise and respect to seamlessly slot into the function and start making a much bigger identify for himself.
Chris Haynes | Bleacher Report, “NBA on TNT”
Haynes is a titan in NBA circles. He is had stops with a few of the most distinguished information shops on the planet, together with Bleacher Report, TNT and Yahoo Sports activities, amongst others. He’s a well-respected determine in NBA media, each by followers and gamers.
If ESPN wants a ready-made substitute who might shortly fill a few of the void left behind by Wojnarowski, Haynes could also be the most suitable choice, particularly if he can leverage Wojnarowski’s contacts to assist bridge any potential hole.
Brian Windhorst | ESPN
Windhorst has been ESPN’s second insider for years. He is well-connected across the NBA, extremely revered and already has a deep understanding of how ESPN works and what it expects from its workers. He would simply step into a much bigger function inside the firm whereas decreasing any potential transition interval.
Whether or not Windhorst could be prepared to make the step up is one other query completely. Presently, he’s an everyday on “First Take,” “NBA At this time” and his “The Hoop Collective” podcast. As such, he could not need the extra workload, particularly if he is settled along with his present function.
Honorable mentions: Outdoors of the names listed above, ESPN might additionally flip to veteran reporters akin to Zach Lowe, Keith Smith, Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman or look to raise somebody from in-house and develop them over the approaching season. Changing Wojnarowski will probably be a tall order no matter what the corporate decides to do.