The sports world received one final Wojnarowski-boom on Wednesday with the news that ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is leaving to become general manager of the St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball program.
The news came as a surprise to many as the NBA season begins next month. Wojnarowski, 55, had been with ESPN since 2017. Prior to his time at Worldwide Leader, he worked at Yahoo Sports and the Bergen County Newspaper Record in New Jersey.
The NBA family congratulates Woj as he embarks on his next chapter. He’s been a staple in the league for decades, and we wish him the best in his new venture. Sources close to the situation say his future looks bright. pic.twitter.com/csGFOOEKtP
— NBA (@NBA) September 18, 2024
Following Wojnarowski’s announcement, people inside and outside the sports media world reacted to the shocking news.
The latest NBA news Wojnarowski posted on social media was that Okoro signed a three-year, $38 million contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith reacts to the news of Adrian Wojnarowski’s sudden retirement from ESPN.
“I’m happy for him, but sad for us as a broadcasting station because it’s a devastating loss for us to see him go.”pic.twitter.com/m6jBieq5tG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 18, 2024
“He’s the best in the business. He’s the best in the business, no question about it,” Wojnarowski said on ESPN’s “NBA Countdown” with Stephen A.
Adam Schefter
Those inside the NFL know exactly what life has been like for Wojnarowski since becoming the NBA’s top scoop star.
.@AdamSchefter on Adrian Wojnarowski’s retirement: “I’m so glad he’s here. I’m so grateful for him.”
“Your work dominates your life. You can’t do your work. You have to live your work. And he stopped living your work. … Now he’s doing what he wants to do. Just as it should be.” pic.twitter.com/INlIrXLJvr
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 18, 2024
Jeff Passan
I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented people in this industry for over 20 years. Adrian Wojnarowski is the best. That’s it. An unparalleled reporter. A gifted wordsmith. An unparalleled storyteller. He’s the Jim Brown of the past, the Barry Sanders of the past.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 18, 2024
Passan, a baseball reporter for ESPN, worked with Wojnarowski at both Yahoo Sports and ESPN.
Dan Wetzel
Adrian Wojnarowski has retired as the NBA’s most competitive sportswriter. Instead of joining an NBA front office or a major college program, he’s serving as GM at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, and looking to lead the Bonnies back to the NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/iiiOCF9Swe
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 18, 2024
If Wojnarowski had wanted to leave journalism for the more competitive side of business, his connections and experience could have easily landed him a job at a sports agency or NBA front office. At least one other major college program caught wind of Wojnarowski’s transfer and offered him a similar position and the allure of a shot at winning a national title.
Instead, he had the freedom that comes with making enough money, and he didn’t need any more money to land his dream job, and it couldn’t get any better.
Wetzel was a colleague of Wojnarowski’s during his time at Yahoo Sports.