The person who broke so much NBA news that his scoops earned a pithy nickname announced on X on Tuesday that he is leaving ESPN and retiring from sports journalism to become general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University.
Adrian Wojnarowski, known simply as Woj, littered the hoops landscape with “Woj bombs,” breaking news that he reported first, accurately and with context.
Wojnarowski, 55, was hired by ESPN in 2017 after emerging as a must-read news hound and columnist at Yahoo Sports in 2007. He previously worked at the Record of Bergen County, N.J.
According to the Athletic, Wojnarowski makes about $7 million a year at ESPN and has three years left on his contract, meaning he is leaving about $20 million on the table. The average salary for a general manager at a Division 1 university is between $130,020 and $172,958, according to Salaries.com.
Wojnarowski's New Role: General Manager of St. Bonaventure Basketball
“I’m thrilled and humbled to return to St. Bonaventure with an opportunity to serve the university, Coach Mark Schmidt and our elite Atlantic 10 men’s basketball program,” Wojnarowski said in a news release from the school. “In these changing times of college sports, I’m eager to join a championship program that combines high-level basketball, national television exposure, pro preparation and NIL opportunities with an intimate, supportive educational environment.”
The role of a general manager at university athletics programs has become increasingly important in the era of name, image and likeness opportunities. In addition to fundraising and assisting with alumni relations, Wojnarowski will work with NIL collectives and help manage the transfer portal.
Wojnarowski is a St. Bonaventure alumnus (class of 1991) and has maintained a strong relationship with the basketball program and Jandoli School of Communication. He and his wife, Amy, met as St. Bonaventure undergraduates.
“I’m hopeful to share with members of our community some best practices learned from the most successful franchises and minds in the NBA and committed to opening doors globally for our players both on and off the court,” Wojnarowski said.
Wojnarowski's Impact on College Athletics
Bob Beretta, St. Bonaventure vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, welcomed Wojnarowski with open arms.
“At a time of tremendous turbulence within the intercollegiate athletics enterprise, we are making a strong statement that St. Bonaventure continues to be on the forefront of change,” Beretta said in a statement. “This is a bold move that aligns with our institutional goals to continue to grow and flourish.”
St. Bonaventure has qualified for the NCAA tournament three times since 2012 and last season went 20-13.
“Woj is the perfect person to fill this new role, combining his intimate knowledge of St. Bonaventure and our Franciscan values with a deep network of relationships he has built across the worlds of professional and intercollegiate basketball,” Beretta said. “The fact that the preeminent journalist in his field is willing to walk away from a lucrative media career to serve his alma mater in a support role is a testament to his love and passion for Bona’s.”
The End of an Era in Sports Journalism?
Wojnarowski’s last Woj bomb was about himself.
“This craft transformed my life, but l’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry,” he wrote on X. “I understand the commitment required in my role and it’s an investment that I’m no longer driven to make. Time isn’t in endless supply and I want to spend mine in ways that are more personally meaningful.”
In a statement of his own, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the reporter. “His work ethic is second to none. He is extraordinarily talented and fearless. He has led the industry at ESPN, and his dedication to the craft and to fans is legendary,” Pitaro said.
“While we will miss his daily output, we completely understand his decision to make a lifestyle change and slow down a bit,” Pitaro added. “We know he will continue to thrive in this next chapter, and he has our collective gratitude and support.”
Wojnarowski's Future at St. Bonaventure
“I’m thrilled and humbled to return to St. Bonaventure with an opportunity to serve the university, Coach Mark Schmidt and our elite Atlantic 10 men’s basketball program,” Wojnarowski said in a statement issued by the school. “In these changing times of college sports, I’m eager to join a championship program that combines high-level basketball, national television exposure, pro preparation and NIL opportunities with an intimate, supportive educational environment.”
As it happens, Woj is the second high-profile sports media figure to retire from that line of work and join their alma mater. A year ago, NBC Sports chief Pete Bevacqua left to become athletic director for Notre Dame.
NIL deals and the changing sports media landscape have made figures who understand that dynamic in high demand from colleges and universities.
A New Chapter for Wojnarowski
Wojnarowski’s departure from ESPN marks the end of an era in sports journalism. His dedication to breaking news and his deep understanding of the NBA made him one of the most respected and influential reporters in the business. His move to St. Bonaventure is a testament to his commitment to his alma mater and his desire to give back to the community. It will be interesting to see what impact he has on the Bonnies basketball program and what the future holds for him in this new role.
It's worth noting that Wojnarowski's decision to leave ESPN for a general manager role is a trend that is gaining momentum across college athletics. The emergence of NIL opportunities, the transfer portal, and the growing demand for professional development programs for student-athletes has created a new dynamic for college sports, one that requires a more business-minded approach. Many programs are looking to hire experienced executives with a deep understanding of the industry to help manage these complex issues, and Wojnarowski is a perfect fit for this new generation of college athletic administrators.
