In a sports world shocker, ESPN‘s lead NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski will retire from the sports giant — and from the news business altogether — 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 trades, injuries and signings before anyone else, gaining a huge social following as a result. He also talked frequently about the work required to break news, with a constant stream of texts and phone calls, coming in all day and night.
“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.”
St. Bonaventure (home of the Bonnies), said that Woj will be general manager of the basketball program, working with the coaches on a number of increasingly critical areas like “name, image, likeness” (NIL) opportunities and transfer portals.
“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.
