NBA insider Shams Charania is going to be a free agent. Plus: Colt McCoy has joined NBC’s coverage of Big Ten football after retiring from the NFL; MMA reporter Ariel Helwani is closing in on a deal with Yahoo Sports.
Shams Charania leaving Stadium
NBA insider Shams Charania is leaving the digital outlet Stadium after six years, the New York Post reported on Monday. Charania hosted “Inside the Association” for the outlet along with appearing regularly on its daily show “The Rally.”
As the New York Post reported last month, Charania’s deals with The Athletic and FanDuel TV are also set to expire soon. With the addition of two new media partners, NBC and Amazon, in the upcoming NBA media rights deals, Charania may find himself with a couple new suitors looking for a valuable insider. (NY Post, 8.19)
Colt McCoy to join Big Ten coverage on NBC
Freshly-retired NFL quarterback and former University of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will join NBC for its coverage of Big Ten football this season, the network announced Monday. McCoy, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, will debut for “Big Ten Saturday Night” on September 7th calling the Colorado-Nebraska game alongside play-by-play announcer Paul Burmeister and sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen.
In addition to calling games, McCoy will make appearances in the studio on “Big Ten College Countdown” for NBC. The studio panel is now coming into focus. Last week, the network announced Nicole Auerbach will make a return to the Big Ten studio show, along with taking on an expanded role for NBC’s Big Ten coverage. (NBC, 8.19)
Ariel Helwani nearing deal with Yahoo Sports
Prominent MMA reporter Ariel Helwani is reportedly in “advanced negotiations” to join Yahoo Sports, per Front Office Sports on Monday. Helwani had posted on social media last week that he was leaving Vox Media and Spotify after the expiration of his three-year deals, though he had received offers to return to both outlets. Notably, Yahoo let go of longtime MMA reporter Kevin Iole late last year.
Helwani is perhaps best known for his contentious relationship with UFC president Dana White. The two have a long history of spats, including one that resulted in Helwani’s “ban” from the circuit in 2016, which was later lifted.
Most recently, Helwani covered combat sports at the Paris Olympics for the CBC. He has worked for both Fox Sports and ESPN in the past. (Front Office Sports, 8.19)
