Adrian Wojnarowski retires from NBA reporting, takes job as GM of college basketball team
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has dropped his last Woj Bomb. Wojnarowski, who changed the way sports were covered with his insider information in the form of tweets affectionately known as “Woj Bombs” by those who follow him on social media, announced Wednesday morning that after a 37-year sports media career, he will retire from the field to take on a new role. Wojnarowski, who most recently worked at ESPN, is set to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.
“It is the thrill of a lifetime for me to return to the university and community I love in a role of service to our student-athletes, coaches and institution,” Wojnarowski said. “I hope I can add value to our basketball program in many areas and open doors for the future of our young men both professionally and personally.”
Wojnarowski joined ESPN seven years ago and became one of the NBA’s top insiders and newsbreakers. Free agency signings, trades, injury news, draft picks and everything in between, Wojnarowski has made a career out of being one of the first people to break the news, especially on social media.
“This art changed my life,” Wojnarowski said Wednesday in announcing his retirement from the journalism industry.
“I understand the commitment required in my role and it is an investment I am no longer obligated to make,” he wrote. “Time is not infinite and I would like to spend my time in ways that are more personally meaningful.”
Wojnarowski’s new role with the Bonnies will see him help recruiting in an era where roster turnover has never been higher at the collegiate level due to name image and likeness (NIL) rights, which allow college athletes to get paid.
Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports has more on the role of general managers for college programs herewrote in part:
Building a winning team is the ultimate goal for everyone, but for some, it can feel like the Oakland A’s version of Moneyball. Identifying which players to target from the transfer portal or the high school ranks is valuable. How much to pay them will be important in the salary cap era that seems inevitable after the remarkable House settlement agreement.
There is value available in the transfer portal, and general managers can help uncover it with data-driven analysis, an eye on scheme-based matchups and accurate, behind-the-scenes information.
“Voj is the perfect person to take on this new role, combining his extensive knowledge of St. Bonaventure and our Franciscan values with the deep network of relationships he has built in the world of professional and intercollegiate basketball,” St. Bonaventure athletic director Bob Beretta said in a statement. “The fact that a leading journalist in his field is willing to leave a lucrative media career to serve his alma mater in a support role is a testament to his love and passion for Bona.”
