Adam Schefter will "expand his presence at ESPN after signing a five-year extension to remain with the company," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. One of his new assignments will include a new podcast "tentatively titled 'Know Them From Adam: The Adam Schefter Show' that will debut in January." Schefter also will do NBA sideline reporting assignments "during the regular season when Schefter’s NFL workload is light" and a sideline reporting assignment with Lisa Salters for ESPN/ABC’s '17 NFL Wild Card telecast. Schefter's ESPN contract was up in '17 and his representation, CAA, had "leverage given Schefter has established himself as a premier brand when it comes to NFL news breaking." Adding NBA sideline work and a podcast to Schefter's portfolio were "clearly things to induce him to stay at ESPN." Schefter said that he has been "talking for some time to ESPN management," including Senior VP & Exec Producer/ESPN Films & Original Content Connor Schell, about "doing a podcast." The weekly show will be "football-based and personality driven, with Schefter interviewing people from all fields including the NFL" (SI.com, 12/1). Schefter said of his new NBA responsibilities, "I wasn't doing enough work and so I wanted to do some NBA reporting. There are people here who do an unbelievable job and in no way am I trying to infringe upon their territory.” Schefter noted it would be "great to have to go into something without feeling any intense pressure and to be able to enjoy an assignment," as that "so rarely happens" for him. Schefter: "I'm looking forward to the first Gregg Popovich halftime interview" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 12/1).
AN OFFER HE COULDN'T REFUSE: Schefter appeared on SI’s “The MMQB Podcast” and discussed his upcoming role on NBA broadcasts. Schefter said ESPN became “aware of my interest” in the NBA and asked whether he would like to do sideline reporting for NBA games. Schefter said he accepted the offer because “when you get to do something outside your sphere of work it really fills you with adrenaline, it’s energizing, it’s refreshing, it’s exciting.” Schefter: “I’m just trying to figure out to juggle with football when we can do this because I do want to stick that microphone into LeBron James’ face and ask him some questions about, ‘What were you thinking on that triple-double,’ whatever it is” (“The MMQB Podcast,” SI.com, 11/29).
