ESPN’s top NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has agreed to become the general manager of the St. Louis men’s basketball program. Bonaventure, he told ESPN.
Wojnarowski is a student of St. Bonaventure and has a strong relationship with the program, including fundraising for the school team in recent years. He is a 1991 graduate of the Western School of New York and a distinguished alumnus from the Jandoli School of Communication.
“It’s the joy of a lifetime to be able to give back to the university and community that I love in a role of service to our student-athletes, coaches and facility,” Wojnarowski told ESPN. “I am confident that I can bring value in many areas to our basketball program and open doors for the future of our young men in both professional and personal ways.”
Wojnarowski, 55, has worked at ESPN since 2017. He previously worked at Yahoo Sports and The Record of Bergen County (New Jersey), among other stops.
“I’m leaving a dream job at ESPN and I’m very grateful for my time and experiences with the Worldwide Leader,” he said.
The role of the GM has become more prevalent in college basketball in recent years, as the transfer portal has made wholesale sales a natural part of the game. The role includes the distribution of the name, image and image, recruiting and support of the successful Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt.
“Woj is the perfect person to fill this new role, combining his intimate knowledge of St. Bonaventure and our Franciscan values with the deep network of relationships he has built throughout the world.” of professional and intercollegiate basketball,” St. Bonaventure Bob Beretta said. “The fact that a prominent journalist in his field is willing to leave a high-paying job in the media to serve his alma mater in a supporting role is a testament to his love and passion for Bona.”
In a statement posted on social media, Wojnarowski wrote: “I grew up the son of a factory worker two miles from the ESPN campus and I only ever dreamed of making a living as a sports professional. For decades Thirty-seven years ago, the Hartford Courant gave me mine for the first time and I couldn’t stop chasing the fun of it.
“This job changed my life, but I have decided to retire from ESPN and the media industry. I understand the commitment required in my role and it is an investment that I am no longer motivated to make. Time it doesn’t have an endless supply and I want to use mine in more meaningful ways.
“I leave with great gratitude for many mentors and colleagues, articles and stories, readers and viewers. No one has benefited more than me from the faith, trust and generosity of others.
“The past seven years at ESPN have been a privilege. I am grateful for the company’s leadership — especially. [ESPN chairman] Jimmy Pitaro and [executive editor] Cristina Daglas — for understanding and accepting my life-changing decision.
“After all these years reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m coming back to mine.”
Pitaro said in a statement: “I have known and admired Woj since we first worked together at Yahoo! in 2007. His work ethic is second to none. He is extraordinarily talented and fearless. He led the industry at ESPN, and his dedication. Although we will miss his daily production, we fully understand his decision to change his lifestyle and slow down a little thanks and support.”
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