Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN's senior NBA insider, has accepted the position of general manager for the men's basketball program at St. Bonaventure University, he confirmed to ESPN. A proud alumnus of St. Bonaventure, Wojnarowski has fostered strong ties with the program, notably through his efforts in fundraising for the school's collective in recent years. He graduated from the western New York institution in 1991 and is recognized as a distinguished alumnus of the Jandoli School of Communication.
"It's a dream come true to return to a university and community I hold dear, and to serve our student-athletes, coaches, and institution in this capacity," Wojnarowski expressed to ESPN. "I aim to provide value across various areas of our basketball program and help create opportunities for our young men, both professionally and personally." Read More
At 55, Wojnarowski has been with ESPN since 2017, having previously contributed to Yahoo Sports and The Record of Bergen County in New Jersey.
"I am stepping away from my dream role at ESPN, and I couldn't be more thankful for the experiences I've had with the World Wide Leader," he shared.
The general manager position has gained traction in college basketball recently, particularly with the rise of the transfer portal, which has made frequent roster changes commonplace. This role encompasses overseeing name, image, and likeness initiatives, recruiting, and supporting head coach Mark Schmidt in his efforts with the Bonnies.
"Woj is the ideal candidate for this newly established position," said St. Bonaventure athletic director Bob Beretta. "His deep understanding of St. Bonaventure and our Franciscan values, coupled with his extensive network in both professional and collegiate basketball, makes him uniquely qualified. It's remarkable that such a leading journalist is willing to leave a lucrative media career to dedicate himself to his alma mater, showcasing his genuine passion for Bona's."
"I'm excited to bring insights from some of the most successful franchises and minds in the NBA to our community," Wojnarowski stated. "I’m committed to opening global opportunities for our players both on and off the court."
Bob Beretta, vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, described Wojnarowski's appointment as an "extraordinary opportunity" for the university, its athletic department, and the men's basketball team.
"In these turbulent times for intercollegiate athletics, this decision signals that St. Bonaventure is leading the way in innovation," Beretta remarked. "This bold move aligns perfectly with our goals for growth and success."
Beretta emphasized that Wojnarowski's extensive connections in the basketball community will be a tremendous asset for the program.
"Woj is uniquely qualified for this role, blending his deep understanding of St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan values with a vast network cultivated over years in both professional and collegiate basketball," Beretta added. "It speaks volumes that such a prominent journalist would choose to leave a high-profile media career to support his alma mater, reflecting his genuine passion for Bona's."
Head coach Mark Schmidt praised the decision to bring Wojnarowski on board as a "home run."
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"This is essential for navigating the evolving landscape of college basketball, especially regarding NIL, recruiting, and player retention," Schmidt, the most successful coach in the program’s history, said. "Woj’s unparalleled connections in the basketball world will help keep our program competitive in the Atlantic 10."
By stepping away from a lucrative contract extension with ESPN, which he signed in 2022, Wojnarowski aims to give back to the university that has profoundly impacted his life. He and his wife, Amy, a 1992 graduate, have been significant supporters of both the basketball program and the Jandoli School of Communication.
"I’m thankful to President Jeff Gingerich, Bob Beretta, Coach Schmidt, and the entire St. Bonaventure community for welcoming Amy and me back to campus in this new role," Wojnarowski expressed. "We met here as undergraduates and have cherished a lifelong bond with the university. I’m eager to start contributing."
Wojnarowski, a member of the Class of 1991, announced his retirement from ESPN on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today.
"This career has changed my life, but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry," he stated. "I recognize the commitment required for my new role, and I’m no longer motivated to invest that level of time. Life is finite, and I want to focus on what truly matters to me."
Before joining ESPN in 2017, Wojnarowski had a nearly ten-year tenure at Yahoo Sports, including two years as editor of The Vertical. His impressive journalism career also includes significant time at The Record in New Jersey, where he was honored twice as APSE Columnist of the Year, along with roles at the Fresno Bee and the Waterbury (Conn.) Republican-American.
Wojnarowski has been named National Sports Media Association’s National Sportswriter of the Year for three consecutive years (2017-2019), joining the ranks of legends like Red Smith and Frank Deford.
He is also the New York Times bestselling author of The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty.
In 2022, he served as the university's Commencement speaker and received an honorary degree. He was recognized as the Jandoli School’s Alumnus of the Year in 2019 and has been inducted onto the Wall of Distinguished Graduates.
A press conference to formally welcome Adrian and Amy back to the St. Bonaventure community will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, in the Quick Center for the Arts theater, and the campus community is invited to attend.
About the University: St. Bonaventure University, the first Franciscan university in the nation, is dedicated to transforming students’ lives inside and outside the classroom, fostering a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. In U.S. News and World Report's 2024 rankings, St. Bonaventure was recognized as #6 for value and #14 for innovation among 167 regional universities in the North.
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