Adrian Wojnarowski, the longtime NBA reporter who has worked at ESPN since 2017, announced today (via Twitter) that he’s retiring from ESPN and from the news industry as a whole.
“I grew up the son of a factory worker two miles from ESPN’s campus and only ever dreamed of making a living as a sportswriter,” Wojnarowski wrote. “Thirty-seven years ago, the Hartford Courant gave me my first byline and I never stopped chasing the thrill of it all.
“This craft transformed my life, but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry. 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.”
While Wojnarowski’s statement didn’t include any details on the next phase of his career, his fellow news-breakers at ESPN – Adam Schefter (NFL), Jeff Passan (MLB), and Pete Thamel (NCAAF) – reported that Woj has agreed to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at St. Bonaventure, his alma mater.
The school confirmed the news in a press release, indicating that Wojnarowski’s responsibilities in his new role will include “name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities and a liaison with collectives; transfer portal management; recruit, family and alumni player relationships; professional player programs; and program fundraising.”
While Wojnarowski has been a regular presence on ESPN’s NBA broadcasts and studio programming over the past seven years, he’s best known for having been the league’s most prominent news-breaker for well over a decade. The term “Woj bomb” was coined to describe Wojnarowski’s scoops on Twitter, where he and former protégé Shams Charania have battled over the years to be the first to report the NBA’s biggest trades, signings, and other news.
I’d wager that no reporter’s name has shown up more on Hoops Rumors since our inception in 2012 than Wojnarowski’s. His career change will be a significant loss for the NBA news industry, but we wish him well as he prepares to begin work with the Bonnies.
Interesting development as the old media continues to crumble. Will GMs and agents find a new favorite source to funnel news and rumors or just give it to multiple sources?
He’s 55 years old and wants to chill out.
I wouldn’t describe that as old media “crumbling”, It’s just life.
I also think it’s giving him a chance to chase a new dream. If I was a millionaire in the same position, I’d think about helping my school realize a shared dream. I’m from that area, so I wouldn’t exactly be champing at the bit to live in Olean, NY, but hey to each their own. There are some nicer towns close to that area and upstate NY as a whole is beautiful.
Draymond is constantly screwing this up and has made the rest of the NBA follow suit.
New media and old media was already a phrase before Draymond went on his whole stupid rant about it. New media is newer outlets like Huff Post or the Young Turks. Old or legacy media is established outlets like NY Times, ABC News, ESPN etc.
Its a bit stupid to make his whole branding be about a phrase that is already in heavy use where he doesnt seem to understand its meaning.
The guy got to the top of the mountain in his profession, and now wants a new challenge. Nothing more to it.
He’s one of the few guys I’d read where I took whatever he said was gospel. Because 99% of the time it was.
The final Woj Bomb!
Wow this is a big loss for basketball fans and especially Hoops rumors fans. Woj has developed a reputation for providing truth via his tweets and articles. You knew if it was from Adrian it wasn’t garbage.
He won’t be easily replaced that’s for sure. Trust like that takes years and years to build.
But I’m sure it was a grind and I’m happy for him to move on to a more fulfilling and less chaotic role.
This is crazy! No more Woj bombs?? Hope he comes back but I can guess he probably wants out of the crumbling media infrastructure and get a more secure job.
I respect his decision. He knows where he is his life. Can now spend more time with family. And help his Alma matter sports program. Giving up the money has to be tough. Being happy in life is more important. Wish him the best ……
I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him. Can still write about NBA, somewhere.
Wonder if Shams is excited for more scoops or frantically figuring out how to add a 25th hour to the day
Look for Chris Haynes to possibly replace him. Tnt losing basketball so I think he goes to ESPN or one of the others. He is close to players and teams. He tends to break news frequently.
I think that’s the first time I’ve heard of a College Hoops team having a GM. I thought the AD was the pipeline to coach. Do they not have an AD and each sports team has a GM? It’s an interesting development to be sure as he probably doesn’t have the all around knowledge to be an AD yet. Maybe he’s being groomed for it. Anyway it seems like he got what he wanted so all the best Woj!
I think college is changing cause of NIL. He’s actually a good choice in today’s world. You have transfer portal and NIL.
I’ll definitely miss his Woj bombs. I first learned of him back in the day playing fantasy sports on Yahoo. He’s definitely had a great career, moving up all the way to ESPN. Good luck to his new adventure!
Now with Shams out and Woj retired, who will we get these accurate rumors from???
Supposedly he always wanted to help the school program. Not many of us get our dream job.
link to sports.yahoo.com
I wondered why Woj wasn’t in 2k25, and now it makes perfect sense.
It was sometime ago, longtime HEAT beat writer Ira Winderman was guest in a podcast …….. he went on to tell stories on his career, about covering a single franchise all this time.
He also stated that he didn’t fully get what Woj was doing …… how the fascination of being the first to break any big NBA news, would take a toll on most people.
Good on Woj for admitting it’s no longer for him and onto something that’s more meaningful for him.