An X account spreading a fake rumor about ESPN’s Mike Breen managed to fool multiple reporters on Wednesday.
The account, posting under the handle @ScamCharnia, claimed Breen was retiring from his duties as ESPN’s top NBA announcer. The claim was fake, and Breen is not actually retiring.
That did not stop two high-profile ESPN reporters, Ramona Shelburne and Marc J. Spears, from reporting the claim, indicating that they thought the post came from the actual Shams Charania.
Spears congratulated Breen on a great career, while Shelburne paid tribute with a “triple-bang.” Both quickly deleted their posts upon realizing that the account was fake.
Lmao two ESPNers fell for this crap pic.twitter.com/j4eug06xLI
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) July 2, 2025
Shelburne and Spears are hardly the first to be duped by a fake social media post. However, it is a bit more embarrassing that they were fooled by a false story about someone who is fundamentally their colleague.
Breen, by all accounts, will be back for another season as ESPN’s top NBA play-by-play voice next season. There may be some changes to who he calls games with, though.
