Is Woj Blocking Shams Post-Retirement?

What it means if an MLB guy or an NFL guy becomes ESPN's NBA guy

It’s been reported by Andrew Marchand of the Athletic that ESPN is considering in house MLB newsbreaker Jeff Passan as the replacement for surprise retired Adrian Wojnarowski. Both Passan and Woj are CAA guys, for what it’s worth (Hint: A lot of continued NBA influence for that power agency). Marchand relays, that “Wojnarowski and ESPN analyst/ex-NBA GM Bobby Marks could serve as mentors” to Passan, which would be quite an offer by Woj considering that he’s now taken on the role of General Manager at St. Bonaventure’s men’s basketball program.

If Woj is indeed leaving $20 million on the table by exiting the World Wide Leader, he’s doing the cash strapped corporation a solid. ESPN is scrimping to the point of laying off Zach Lowe, as the cable bundle shrinks and parent Disney deals with financial issues. After spending so much on ballooning sports rights fees, Bristol needs every dollar. So, if Woj had an outgoing preference for his succession, forked over money could constitute a lot of leverage.

Is this all a conspiracy to thwart rival Shams Charania from taking his ESPN mantle? Let’s get into it.