When Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN’s senior NBA insider, recently left to take a general manager role at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University, ESPN found itself in a significant dilemma: who would take over as the top NBA insider?

ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan is a top candidate for the job, along with Charania, according to a new report from The Athletic on Saturday. The report cited six sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The report about top candidates to replace Wojnarowski follows news this week that ESPN laid off NBA writer Zach Lowe.

Jeff Passan has emerged as a candidate, along with The Athletic's Shams Charania, to switch sports and replace Adrian Wojnarowski at ESPN.

Jeff Passan, ESPN’s top MLB insider, has emerged as a candidate to switch over and become the network’s top NBA insider, according to The Athletic. He joined ESPN in 2019 after working for Yahoo Sports and makes around $1 million per year, per the report.

Passan, 44, has been with ESPN since 2019 and signed a four-year, $4 million contract extension in early 2022. He is considered among the best, if not the best, reporters covering Major League Baseball, which he has done since 2004 at The Kansas City Star, Yahoo and now ESPN.

Longtime NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski retired from his role with ESPN on Wednesday in a shocking move. Wojnarowski, one of the most influential news breakers in sports media history who is famous for his “Woj bombs,” will become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.

ESPN’s senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is retiring from the news industry to become general manager of the men’s basketball team at St. Bonaventure University.

ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski is retiring from broadcasting to return to his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, to take over the newly created position of general manager of the men’s basketball program, the Atlantic 10 school announced Wednesday.

Jeff Passan may replace Wojnarowski as ESPN's top NBA insider, marking a major role change and potential salary boost for the acclaimed journalist.

The sports media world is constantly in flux, including the “worldwide-leading” ESPN. After lead NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski left to general manage St. Bonaventure basketball, the outlet may replace him with someone unexpected.