Shams defends NBA MVP leak as fans erupt over “spoiled” announcement
Fans are upset at ESPN reporter Shams Charania for revealing the NBA MVP, but according to him, he was just doing his job.
When ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had won the 2025–26 NBA MVP award early Sunday morning, hours before the league’s scheduled announcement, the reaction was immediate. Fans flooded social media with frustration, with many saying the moment had been “spoiled.”
But as the situation unfolded, it became clear the controversy wasn’t just about the timing of the announcement, but the expectation of how it would be announced.
Was the MVP actually “leaked”?
Technically, yes, but not unusually. Charania did what NBA insiders have always done. He reported confirmed information as soon as it’s verified. In fact, early reporting has long been part of the league’s media ecosystem, whether it’s trades, draft picks or award winners.
The difference this time is that the NBA had framed the MVP reveal as an event. With a scheduled broadcast tied to a studio show, fans were expecting anticipation, and something to watch unfold live.
Instead, they got the result hours earlier on social media. That made his rather routine reporting feel like a spoiler.
Shams responds to backlash: “What are we talking about here?”
Charania addressed the criticism head-on during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, making it clear he has no intention of changing how he operates.
“A part of me is like, what are we talking about here?” Charania said.
He emphasized that his role is simply to report accurate information as soon as it’s confirmed.
“When I get news, when I get information, if I vetted it… when I have news 100%, no matter how big, no matter how small… my job is to report the news.”
For Charania, the MVP announcement wasn’t an exception. It was precisely the kind of major story he’s expected to break.
“This is a massive story… and when I get it, I vet it, and then my job is to report the news. So that’s all I focus on.”
The “brunch” comment that added fuel to the fire
While much of the debate centered on journalistic ethics, the situation also produced one of the more viral moments of the week. During the NBA’s studio coverage, former player Blake Griffin took a playful but pointed jab at Charania: “What are we doing, man? It’s Sunday, Shams. Go to brunch, you nerd.”
The comment quickly gained traction online, capturing the tone of frustration many fans felt, even if it was delivered jokingly. But the trolling didn’t stop there. On ESPN the following day, NBA Today host Malika Andrews added her own subtle dig when introducing Charania:
“Let’s say hello to our senior insider, Shams Charania, who joins us fresh off brunch.”
It doesn’t look like Shams found it very amusing.
How the NBA actually announces MVP
Part of the confusion stems from the fact that there is no longer a single, consistent way the NBA reveals its biggest individual award. In recent years, the MVP has been announced through:
- A dedicated NBA Awards show (now discontinued)
- Television studio segments
- Official NBA social media posts
- Insider reports before any formal reveal
That lack of consistency has created a disconnect. For some fans, early reporting is expected. For others, especially those anticipating a live reveal as was planned for this year, it feels like something was taken away.
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