ESPN Reporters Pickleball Stress Relief: ESPN’s senior reporters Shams Charania (NBA insider), Adam Schefter (NFL insider), and Jeff Passan (MLB insider) recently talked with host Jeremy Schaap on The Sports Reporters about how they handle the pressure of their intense jobs. Their roles require them to be “plugged in” all day, every day, ready to break news and provide instant analysis. This constant connection makes it hard to find moments to relax.
Adam Schefter explained, “There are very few instances in our lives where you forget that your phone is on you… You live these jobs, and there are very, very few moments where you feel like you’re disconnected from the job. It almost never happens, and when you can escape for an hour or two… that is a reminder of how daunting and challenging these jobs are, how much they require.”
Jeff Passan added, “There are very few jobs like this, not just in sports journalism, not just in journalism, but anywhere, that are all-consuming. I try to find balance. I do my very best. As obsessive as we have to be, there needs to be something else. Whether you find that something else in [your] kids or otherwise, you’ve got to find it, or this job will kill you.”
Pickleball and Family Time Offer a Welcome Break
When asked how they manage to take breaks, pickleball came up as a favorite way to unwind. Shams Charania shared, “The one thing that I do, like how I’m able to get away, is just family time. My whole family’s in Chicago, I’m in Chicago, so we’re all here and we’re all in very close proximity. So it’s like the little things. It could be going on a walk, it could be going to mini-golf, it could be like playing pickleball, watching a movie together.”
Charania recalled a hectic weekend just before NBA free agency when he played pickleball with family. “I literally lasted 10 minutes on the court. They were maybe there for an hour and a half, and I was just literally pacing on the field for whatever it was, 50-60 minutes. That’s just what it is.” Although he didn’t play much that day, he values pickleball as a way to disconnect when possible.
Jeff Passan praised Charania’s effort, saying, “Pickleball right before the deadline is impressive, Shams. I respect you for that. And pickleball has become like a good, fun summer activity. I’m with you.”
Finding Balance in Demanding Careers Is Essential
The discussion highlights the difficulty of balancing high-pressure jobs with personal time. For these ESPN reporters, small moments with family and activities like pickleball help keep them grounded. Their experiences show that even in the busiest careers, finding something to step away and recharge is key to staying healthy and happy.
News in Brief: ESPN Reporters Pickleball Stress Relief
ESPN reporters Shams Charania, Adam Schefter, and Jeff Passan talked about how their demanding jobs affect their lives. They find balance through family time and activities like pickleball. Charania shared playing pickleball just before NBA free agency, earning praise from Passan for managing to relax despite a busy schedule.
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