• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Adrian Wojnarowski Leaves ESPN for St. Bonaventure GM Job

  • He is leaving millions of dollars on the table to make the move.
  • The legendary NBA reporter said he is retiring from journalism.
Adrian Wojnarowski, formerly of ESPN
ESPN

During his career as the NBA’s premier newsbreaker, Adrian Wojnarowski became famous for dropping “Woj bombs” that moved the market.

On Wednesday, ESPN’s senior NBA insider dropped the biggest “Woj bomb” of all about himself, announcing he was retiring from journalism to accept a role as GM for the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball program, his alma mater. The university is in St. Bonaventure, N.Y., in the western part of the state.

“After all these years of reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m heading back to my own,” Wojnarowski tweeted Wednesday.

Wojnarowski was making an estimated $7 million a year at ESPN, just behind Adam Schefter’s $9 million annual salary. With an estimated two to three years left on his contract, he’ll leave an estimated $15 million to $20 million on the table.

The question now: Who can replace the 55-year-old Wojnarowski? Can he be replaced at all?

ESPN has a loaded bench of NBA insiders and analysts, including Brian Windhorst, Zach Lowe, Bobby Marks, Marc J. Spears, and Tim Bontemps. But none of them match the influence of Wojnarowski, with his 6.5 million followers.

My sources tell me ESPN will likely talk to Shams Charania, Wojanrowski’s former Yahoo Sports protégé, and former ESPNer Chris Haynes. Both are pending free agents, according to the New York Post. The 30-year-old Charania’s deals with The Athletic, Stadium, and FanDuel are all up. Ditto for the 42-year-old Haynes, who has plenty of on-camera experience at TNT.

Charania is also a frequent guest on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show, which has raised eyebrows at the network given his rivalry with Wojnarowski. But McAfee’s advocacy could benefit Charania.

Meanwhile, the mood on ESPN’s campus Wednesday was one of stunned disbelief.

“I’m floored,” one staffer told me.

Another wondered whether ESPN could realistically replace one of the greatest news-breakers in sports journalism.

“There’s only one Woj,” they said.

After starting his career at the Hartford Courant, Wojnarowski cut his teeth as an NBA insider at Yahoo before jumping to ESPN in 2017.  

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro saluted Wojnarowski in a statement Wednesday morning. “He has led the industry at ESPN, and his dedication to the craft and to fans is legendary,” he said. “While we will miss his daily output, we completely understand his decision to make a lifestyle change and slow down a bit.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 9, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Katie Taylor (left) and Amanda Serrano (right) pose in front of Jake Paul during a press conference ahead of their boxing match at Madison Square Garden.

Serrano vs. Taylor 3 Set to Be Biggest Women’s Boxing Match in..

“I’m just sick of the whining and complaining from your team.”
Jeff Kaplan

Letting PE Invest in Family-Owned Teams Is a ‘Watershed’

Liquidity gives owners greater flexibility to manage salary cap.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.

NFL Likely to Stay With CBS, Targeting Mass Renegotiation in 2029

The league instead looks toward a broader set of contract opt-outs.
exclusive
July 10, 2025

Amazon Adding Dell Curry to NBA Coverage Team

The 16-year NBA veteran has been a Hornets color commentator.
July 10, 2025

F1’s ESPN-Apple Dilemma Could Come Down to Reach vs. Money

MLB and MLS games on Apple TV+ have not drawn huge audiences.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Mercedes driver George Russell (63) leads the second lap over Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) during the F1 Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
July 9, 2025

Apple Vies With ESPN for U.S. Formula One Rights

ESPN’s rights agreement with F1 has been worth about $90 million annually.
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Fox Extends Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Contracts Ahead of NFL Season

Changes are coming at Fox, but Andrews and Thompson stay put.
exclusive
July 7, 2025

CBS, NFL Host James Brown Discussing Contract Extension

The 74-year-old Brown has hosted a record 10 Super Bowl pregame shows.
July 7, 2025

ESPN Brings Pat McAfee to Atlanta for Home Run Derby Showcase

The Disney-owned network will bring one of its top stars to Atlanta.