ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski is retiring from broadcasting and returning to his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, to tackle the newly created position of general manager of the lads's basketball program, the Atlantic 10 school announced Wednesday.
Wojnarowski will assume a big selection of responsibilities alongside coach Mark Schmidt and his team. His duties include specializing in name, image and likeness opportunities, managing transfer portals, recruiting and maintaining relationships with former players.
“I am thrilled and honored to return to St. Bonaventure and serve the university,” Wojnarowski said in a press release from the varsity in Allegany, New York. “I hope to share with members of our community some of the best practices I have learned from the NBA's most successful franchises and minds and aim to open doors for our players worldwide, both on and off the court.”
Wojnarowski graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a level in journalism in 1991 and received an honorary doctorate from the varsity in 2022. The 55-year-old has worked at ESPN since 2017 and decided to retire despite still having a contract he signed with the broadcaster in 2022.
Wojnarowski, who previously worked at Yahoo Sports and The Record of New Jersey, was twice APSE Columnist of the Year and was named National Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association for the three-year period from 2017 to 2019.
Schmidt called the addition of Wojnarowski to his staff a “home run,” adding, “This move is critical to navigating the new landscape of college basketball in the NIL and recruiting and retaining new players.”
St. Bonaventure is positioned within the Allegany Mountains in southwestern New York State, a couple of 90-minute drive south of Buffalo.
The Catholic school, which has an enrollment of about 2,000 students, is seeking to capitalize on Wojnarowski's notoriety while following other programs that created the GM role within the NIL era. He is best known for breaking NBA news with so-called “Woj Bombs” on social media.
“While we will miss his daily performance, we completely understand his decision to change his lifestyle and slow down,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a press release. “We know he will continue to be successful in this next chapter, and he has our shared gratitude and support.”
Bob Beretta, vice chairman and director of intercollegiate athletics at St. Bonaventure University, called Wojnarowski's signing an “incredible opportunity” for the varsity to utilize his many basketball contacts.
“At a time of tremendous turmoil in college sports, we are sending a clear message that St. Bonaventure continues to be at the forefront of change,” Beretta said. “The fact that the preeminent journalist in his field is willing to give up a lucrative media career to serve his alma mater in a support role is a testament to his love and passion for Bona.”
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