Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN's senior NBA insider, has announced his retirement from the network to become the general manager of the men's basketball program at St. Bonaventure University, his alma mater. Wojnarowski, a 1991 graduate and distinguished alumnus of the university's Jandoli School of Communication, has maintained a strong connection with the school, particularly as a fundraiser in recent years.
"It’s a thrill of a lifetime to return to a university and community that I love, serving our student-athletes, coaches, and institution," Wojnarowski told ESPN. "I hope to bring value to the basketball program and open doors for our young men’s futures both professionally and personally."
Wojnarowski, 55, joined ESPN in 2017 after previous stints at Yahoo Sports and The Record of Bergen County. Reflecting on his time at the network, he said, "I am retiring from a dream job at ESPN, and I’m incredibly grateful for my experiences with the World Wide Leader."
The role of general manager has become more common in college basketball, especially with the rise of the transfer portal. Wojnarowski’s responsibilities will include overseeing name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, recruiting, and supporting Bonnies head coach Mark Schmidt.
"Woj is the perfect person for this role, combining his deep knowledge of St. Bonaventure and its Franciscan values with an unmatched network of relationships in basketball," said St. Bonaventure athletic director Bob Beretta. "His decision to leave a lucrative media career to serve his alma mater is a testament to his love for Bona’s."
In a heartfelt social media post, Wojnarowski reflected on his career and decision to step away: "I grew up the son of a factory worker two miles from ESPN’s campus, and only dreamed of being a sportswriter. After 37 years of chasing that dream, I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry to spend my time in ways that are more personally meaningful."
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro praised Wojnarowski, stating: "His work ethic, talent, and fearless reporting have led the industry. While we’ll miss him, we fully support his decision to slow down and make a life change. He’ll always have our gratitude and support."
Wojnarowski now embarks on a new chapter, returning to the team that started it all.
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