With the NBA set for a massive media expansion next season, the contract offers for media personalities are soaring. Among the center stage now are two feature employees from ESPN. The quickly rising and talented Kendra Andrews will become a free agent soon. And over the summer, Brian Windhorst, a senior writer for ESPN also runs out of a contract. So where does their future lie? There is a major breakthrough in that story.
Andrews has the potential to become a behemoth given her already decorated career. Much of the talk though has revolved around Windy. He was set to take the mantle once Adrian Wojnarowski retired. However, the network signed the famed Shams Charania as their lead insider. Does this leave Windhorst with a stalled role? That’s hardly the case.
According to Front Office Sports, Windhorst and his podcast Hoop Collective is viewed as the premier podcast for the NBA moving forward. Furthermore, the media veteran also shares a sequential dynamic besides Charania. One source described it perfectly to FOS. “Shams is the what—and Windy is the why,” they told Front Office Sports.
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN television personality Stephen A. Smith (left) and sportswriter Brian Windhorst (right) prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
With his experience, ESPN is hopeful to retain Brian Windhorst as part of their NBA contingent. He’s a man with rich experience and often makes great contributions during his on-air appearances. With him, there is the scope to offer detailed league coverage to fans. Windy has a solid grasp of the NBA business.
His contract breakdowns and insider information are key reasons ESPN still enjoys the position as giants of the sporting world. However, it’s vital that to remain, they do what it takes to keep Windhorst.
What future lies ahead for Brian Windhorst?
Windy has been part of ESPN since 2010. In his 15 years, he has risen incredibly. From being an expert on LeBron James from his time working at the Akron Beacon Journal to covering every action in the NBA, his journey has been long. And now is the time for the crucial decision. Will Windy remain with ESPN or could another giant like Amazon or NBC poach him?
With ESPN, there is a chance to become the lead storyteller with the NBA. His Hoop Collective podcast is key to making that possible. As FOS points out, since Zach Lowe’s departure, there’s no other NBA podcast under ESPN that provides information like Windy and his crew do.
However, with Amazon and NBC, there is a chance for greater financial advantages. With the new partners looking to buff up their NBA coverage team, they might throw great offers. Having a lucrative contract on the table is surely tempting. However, there’s something they can’t offer that ESPN does.
That’s a legacy.
ESPN has been covering the sport for over two decades, something none of the partners offer given that NBC did cover the league in the past. But it’s highly unlikely that they can replace the Disney-owned company as the one-stop destination. In addition, ESPN also has a set framework that allows for Brian Windhorst to appear on talk shows.
With renowned speakers such as Stephen A. Smith and even Charania, Windy gets the opportunity to work with some of the media’s finest. Then there is also the growth potential of his podcast which is doing incredibly well. Given his long stay at ESPN, Windhorst is likely to remain with the media giants.
But nothing can be said for certain until he does sign his extension.
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