By Andrew Marchand, Richard Deitsch, C.J. Moore and Alex Andrejev
Longtime NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski shocked the sports media world by retiring from ESPN to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at St. Bonaventure, his alma mater. Wojnarowski is known for his impactful “Woj bombs” and has decided to walk away from around $20 million with ESPN, as he had almost three years left on his contract.
Despite ESPN’s surprise at Wojnarowski’s decision, the 55-year-old revealed that he was burnt out from the constant news-breaking demands, which required him to be on call 24/7. He described the thought of sacrificing sleep during the upcoming NBA season as unappealing, which ultimately led him to pursue the St. Bonaventure opportunity.
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Even though Wojnarowski is stepping down from his ESPN role, there is a possibility that he could stay involved as an adviser to ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. ESPN is now faced with the challenge of filling Wojnarowski’s position and his absence marks a significant change for the network.
Wojnarowski, in a heartfelt statement, expressed his gratitude to ESPN and announced his return to St. Bonaventure with enthusiasm. His role with the university will include various responsibilities, including working with NIL opportunities and player relationships.
St. Bonaventure’s basketball program is a significant part of Wojnarowski’s new journey, and his vast network and expertise are expected to be valuable assets in shaping the program. In a rapidly changing college sports landscape, Wojnarowski’s experience could propel St. Bonaventure to new heights.
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(Photo: Michael J. LeBrecht II / NBAE via Getty Images)
