Video: Adrian Wojnarowski Reflects on ESPN Exit, Becoming St. Bonaventure CBB GM

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IISeptember 25, 2024

Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images

Former ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has provided more insight into why he chose to leave his gig for the general manager role of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, where he graduated from in 1991.

Derek Heid @DerekHeidAdrian Wojnarowski told reporters the idea to leave ESPN for St. Bonaventure came when he was reading the job description for the new General Manager position:
“I just keep thinking, jeez that sounds fun. That sounds like a lot more fun than what I am doing right now.” @WKBW pic.twitter.com/msL7VFzuxy

A10 Talk @A10TalkAdrian Wojnarowski reflects on his decision making process over the past several months:

“Around this time of year at ESPN, someone there would invariably ask me, where do you want to be for the opening of NBA training camps?

This year they asked me if I wanted to be in Boston… pic.twitter.com/VfuEMF8Lgy

Bonnies Men’s Basketball @BonniesMBBLet’s get to work, @wojespn 🫡 pic.twitter.com/jKUr9bwXOK

Wojnarowski reportedly walked away from “around $20 million” to pursue this new opportunity, per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand. He explained to Derek Heid of 7 News WKBW why he left money on the table.

Derek Heid @DerekHeidAdrian Wojnarowski on why he walked away from a multi-million dollar contract covering the NBA with ESPN to join St. Bonaventure
“I said take everything else out of it, and I would ask myself which job would I rather do, and it was an easy decision for me” @WKBW @GoBonnies pic.twitter.com/9Kj9jj7N0j

Per a press release, Wojnarowski’s general manager role has various tenets, “including name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities and as a liaison with collectives; transfer portal management; recruit, family and alumni player relationships; professional player programs; and program fundraising.”

Things have been going well thus far, per Wojnarowski.

“Since our announcement last week, I’ve been absolutely blown away with the incoming opportunities coming our way from national sponsors and entities who want to be in the NIL business with St. Bonaventure basketball,” he said, per Adam Zagoria of NJ Advance Media. “Game-changing opportunities to help us recruit and retain our student-athletes.”

Wojnarowski is helping a St. Bonaventure team that is looking to build off a 20-win season. Under head coach Mark Schmidt, the Bonnies have enjoyed 11 winning campaigns since 2011, including NCAA tournament appearances in 2012, 2018 and 2021.