If you’ve ever scrolled through Twitter—or "X," if we’re being formal—during the NFL Scouting Combine or the frenzy of free agency, you’ve seen the name. Adam Schefter. He’s the guy who seems to know about a trade before the players involved even get the phone call. But while he’s constantly breaking news about draft picks and multi-million dollar contracts, people are often curious about the man behind the two iPhones. Specifically, how old is Adam Schefter, and how has he stayed at the top of such a grueling industry for so long?
As of right now in early 2026, Adam Schefter is 59 years old.
He was born on December 21, 1966. This means he’ll be hitting the big 6-0 later this year. Honestly, for a guy who reportedly sleeps about four hours a night and is perpetually glued to a screen, he’s holding up remarkably well. Most people would have burned out decades ago doing what he does.
Breaking Down the Decades: Adam Schefter’s Age and Career
It’s kinda wild to think about how long Schefter has been in the game. He didn't just pop up on ESPN one day. He put in the miles.
Born in Valley Stream, New York, he grew up in Bellmore on Long Island. He’s a Jersey-adjacent guy with that classic East Coast drive. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1989 and then the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern, he jumped straight into the fire. He was an intern at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer before landing in Denver.
That’s where the "Insider" legend really started. He spent 15 years in Colorado, writing for the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post. He was covering the Mike Shanahan-era Broncos when they were winning back-to-back Super Bowls.
Think about the timeline:
- Late 80s/Early 90s: Grinding in student newspapers and internships.
- The 90s: Establishing himself as the go-to Broncos beat writer.
- 2004: Making the jump to TV with the NFL Network.
- 2009: Joining ESPN, where he basically became the face of NFL news.
By the time he joined the "Worldwide Leader in Sports," he was already in his early 40s. He wasn't some kid with a lucky break; he was a seasoned vet who knew exactly how the league's plumbing worked.
How He Stays Relevant at 59
A lot of people in sports media start to phase out or move into "elder statesman" roles once they hit their late 50s. They take the cushy studio jobs where they talk for three minutes and then go home. Not Schefter.
Basically, he’s the human equivalent of a news ticker. Whether it's 2:00 AM or a Sunday morning in October, he's active. It's almost legendary how he carries multiple phones to ensure he never misses a text from an agent or a GM.
But there’s a human side to the age story, too. It’s not just about football. Schefter has been very open about his personal life, specifically his marriage to Sharri Maio in 2007. Sharri is a 9/11 widow; her first husband, Joe Maio, died in the World Trade Center attacks. Schefter eventually wrote a book called The Man I Never Met, which is a pretty emotional look at his role as a stepfather to Sharri’s son, Devon, and the daughter they have together, Dylan.
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When you realize he’s balancing a high-stakes career with a deeply complex and moving family life, that 59-year-old energy becomes even more impressive.
The Woj Comparison and the "Insider" Pressure
Recently, we saw Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA’s version of Schefter, walk away from the grind to become a GM at St. Bonaventure. People naturally wondered if Schefter would follow suit. After all, they’re in the same age bracket, and the pressure is relentless.
However, Schefter has hinted that while he loves the rush, he does sometimes feel like a "prisoner" to the phones. He’s mentioned wanting to branch out—maybe do some sideline work for golf or other sports. But for now, he’s still the king of the NFL scoop.
Why His Age Matters for the Industry
There’s a reason younger reporters haven't quite knocked him off the mountain yet. Journalism, especially "insider" journalism, is built on relationships.
You can’t build a rapport with an NFL owner or a top-tier agent overnight. It takes decades. The people Schefter was covering when he was a 25-year-old reporter in Denver are now the executives running the league. That's the "secret sauce" of his longevity. He’s grown up alongside the people who make the decisions.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious Fan
- Verify the source: Next time you see a "Schefter Bomb," check the handle. At 59, he has millions of followers, but there are always parody accounts trying to trick you.
- Respect the grind: If you're looking to enter sports media, realize that Schefter's "overnight" success took about 20 years of newspaper reporting first.
- Look beyond the tweets: If you want to see the real man, read his memoir. It’s a lot more substantial than a 280-character update about a backup quarterback's hamstring.
Adam Schefter is 59, but in the fast-paced world of the NFL, he’s still running circles around people half his age. Whether you love the constant pings on your phone or find the "insider" culture a bit much, you can't deny the guy's work ethic. He’s a lifer.
If you want to keep up with his latest updates, your best bet is still his Twitter feed or catching him on NFL Live. Just don't expect him to put the phone down anytime soon—he’s got a few more years before that 65-year-old "retirement age" even enters the conversation.