In a shock to the sports world, Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN’s leading NBA insider, will step away from the sports giant — and the news business overall — to lead the basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.
Woj, as he is known, was ESPN’s basketball scoop machine, breaking news about transfers, injuries and signings before anyone else, and garnering a huge social media following as a result. He also spoke frequently about the work it takes to break news, and received a constant stream of texts and phone calls day and night.
“This craft has changed my life, but I have decided to step away from ESPN and the news industry,” he wrote on X. “I understand the commitment my role requires and it is an investment I am no longer forced to make. Time is not infinite and I want to spend it in a way that is more meaningful to me personally.”
In a statement of his own, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised the reporter. “His work ethic is unmatched. He is extraordinarily talented and fearless. He has led the industry at ESPN and his dedication to the craft and his fans is legendary,” said Pitaro.
“While we will miss his daily performance, we completely understand his decision to change his lifestyle and slow down,” Pitaro added. “We know he will continue to be successful in this next chapter, and he has our shared gratitude and support.”
St. Bonaventure (home of the Bonnies) said Woj will be general manager of the basketball program and will work with the coaches on a number of increasingly critical areas such as “Name, Image, Likeness” (NIL) opportunities and transfer portals.
“I am thrilled and honored to return to St. Bonaventure and have the opportunity to serve the university, Coach Mark Schmidt and our elite Atlantic 10 men’s basketball program,” Wojnarowski said in a statement from the school. “In these changing times in college sports, I look forward to joining a championship program that combines high-level basketball, national television exposure, pro prep and NIL opportunities with a familiar, supportive educational environment.”
Woj is the second well-known personality from the sports media to retire from the field and return to his alma mater. A year ago, NBC Sports CEO Pete Bevacqua left the company to become sports director at Notre Dame.
No contracts and the changing sports media landscape have made personalities who understand these dynamics in high demand at colleges and universities.
