ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped his latest “Woj Bomb” Wednesday morning.
The legendary NBA reporter announced his retirement after 37 years in the news business, stepping down for a new opportunity with “immense gratitude” to his colleagues and readers.
Following the NBA in the 21st century has indeed required paying attention to Wojnarowski, whether on social media or on ESPN since he joined the network in 2017. He has pulled off countless trades, coaching changes and more, from some that altered the league’s landscape to others that barely made a splash.
Now he’s walking away.
Here’s what you need to know about why Wojnarowski is retiring from journalism.
Why is Adrian Wojnarowski retiring?
Wojnarowski announced his retirement on Wednesday, saying: “I understand the commitment required in my role and it is an investment I am no longer willing to make.”
The 55-year-old teased his upcoming role at the end of his announcement, saying: “After all these years of reporting on everyone’s team, I’m going back to mine.”
-30- pic.twitter.com/bFeFL61s1c
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 18, 2024
This team, according to his colleague Jeff Passanis St. Bonaventure’s men’s basketball program. Wojnarowski takes over as general manager of the Bonnies, who are coached by Mark Schmidt. Wojnarowski is a St. Bonaventure alumnus and has publicly promoted the program throughout his career.
St. Bonaventure confirmed the news shortly after Wojnarowski’s announcement.
NEWS | Wojnarowski, ’91, Retires From ESPN to Accept GM Role With #Bonnies Basketball program
? >> https://t.co/E1IkTF1QZE#Bonnies || #Deploy pic.twitter.com/dzt8EoC0Jo
— St. Bonaventure Athletics (@GoBonnies) September 18, 2024
The NIL era of college basketball has dramatically increased roster turnover, forcing many programs to rebuild large portions of their rosters in the transfer portal each spring. That has led some teams to create a general manager role rather than foisting those duties on the head coach, and Wojnarowski will now have a say in how the Bonnies’ roster is constructed moving forward.
ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro responded to the news Wednesday, calling Wojnarowski “talented and fearless” with a work ethic that is “second to none.”
Statement from ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro on Adrian Wojnarowski’s Retirement from ESPN https://t.co/Bu5vHuK7E5 pic.twitter.com/GzQbwTiHlA
— ESPN RP (@ESPNPR) September 18, 2024
Reactions from many other colleagues poured in following the announcement, including tributes from Adam Schefter And Dianna Russini.
How old is Adrian Wojnarowski?
Wojnarowski is 55 years old. He will celebrate his 56th birthday in March.
The longtime reporter is still fairly young for the job, making it surprising that he decided to leave the position while he’s at the top of the NBA insider world. At the same time, it’s a job that requires serious commitment, as Wojnarowski alluded to in his announcement.
Shams Charania of The Athletic, a former colleague turned competitor of Wojnarowski, said in 2023 that he was spending about 19 hours a day on his phone at the height of NBA free agency. While 19 hours of screen time isn’t the norm, it’s still a job that requires Wojnarowski to stay constantly connected.
Adrian Wojnarowski Salary
Wojnarowski earned about $7 million per year on his last ESPN contract, according to The AthleticBy retiring, he is parting with about $20 million remaining on his contract,
Wojnarowski’s new salary at St. Bonaventure is unknown, but it’s almost certainly a fraction of what he was making at ESPN. Schmidt, the Bonnies’ head coach, will reportedly make about $1.8 million annually after the program matches an offer from UMass in 2022.
With the GM role almost certainly being paid even less than that, Wojnarowski is making it clear that he is not in it for the money at this stage of his prestigious career.
