Adrian Wojnarowski just dropped what might be the biggest Woj Bomb of his career—and possibly his last. On Wednesday morning, Woj shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement from ESPN and the sports news reporting. After nearly four decades in the industry, he’s calling it a day.
Wojnarowski first made his mark at Yahoo Sports, where he worked from 2007 to 2015. During those years, he built a reputation as a top-tier insider. When he moved to ESPN in 2017, he continued to dominate the news cycle, becoming the go-to guy for breaking trades, free agent signings, and major NBA updates. His updates, especially during significant events like the NBA Draft, became essential for basketball fans everywhere.
Why Is Wojnarowski Leaving $20 Million?
According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Adrian Wojnarowski is walking away from roughly $20 million by leaving ESPN. At just 55, Wojnarowski is a leading figure in NBA reporting and still has plenty of time left in his career. Despite this, he chooses to step away, even though it means leaving a substantial sum behind.
With nearly three years remaining on his ESPN contract, worth about $7 million per year, Wojnarowski is forgoing an estimated $15 million to $20 million. Sources familiar with the situation, who spoke anonymously, revealed that Wojnarowski informed ESPN bosses that he felt completely burned out from the constant news-breaking demands that kept him on his phone nearly around the clock.
When Did Adrian Wojnarowski Joined ESPN?
Adrian Wojnarowski joined ESPN on July 1, 2017, just before the start of NBA free agency. After building a strong reputation as one of the top NBA insiders during his time at Yahoo! Sports, Wojnarowski made the move to ESPN, marking a significant moment in his career. His debut came on the midnight edition of SportsCenter that same day, where he quickly became a central figure in ESPN’s basketball coverage.
Woj began his journalism career early, working for the Hartford Courant while still in high school, and continued to gain experience at various smaller newspapers. In 1997, he joined The Record in New Jersey, earning accolades like “Columnist of the Year” by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
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His career soared when he joined Yahoo! Sports in 2007, where he became known for breaking major NBA news stories, especially during the NBA Draft. His exclusive scoops were famously dubbed “Woj Bombs” by fans.
By joining ESPN in 2017, Wojnarowski solidified his status as the go-to source for NBA news. He continued his reign as the league’s top insider until his recent announcement from journalism that he would take on a new role as the men’s basketball team general manager at his alma mater.
How Much Was Adrian Wojnarowski’s ESPN Contract Worth?
Nobody expected Adrian Wojnarowski to leave the media scene so soon. Just two years ago, in 2022, Wojnarowski signed a new ESPN contract worth $35 million over five years, with an annual salary of $7 million. This deal was designed to match the contract of ESPN journalist Adam Schefter, who earned $10 million more due to his longer tenure, having joined ESPN in 2009 compared to Wojnarowski’s 2017 start.
As of 2023, Wojnarowski’s net worth was $6 million. Although he has been an ESPN Insider since 2017, his career spanned 37 years in the industry. Wojnarowski is now choosing to leave the media business before completing his current ESPN contract.
What’s Next for Adrian Wojnarowski?
So, where is Adrian Wojnarowski heading next? On Wednesday, Wojnarowski revealed his new role as the general manager of the basketball team at St. Bonaventure University. This position will see him overseeing NIL allocations, handling recruitment, and supporting the team’s current head coach, Mark Schmidt.
The salary for Wojnarowski’s new role at St. Bonaventure hasn’t been disclosed, but it’s expected to be significantly lower than his previous earnings at ESPN. To provide some perspective, Coach Mark Schmidt earns approximately $1.8 million annually, and the general manager position generally offers less than that.
Wojnarowski left his high-paying job at ESPN for personal reasons rather than financial ones. He has a deep-rooted connection to St. Bonaventure, where he graduated in 1991 and received an honorary doctorate in 2022. This strong bond with his alma mater is likely essential to his career transition.
Also Read: Kevin Garnett Presents A Surprising Reason Why “Top Dog” Adrian Wojnarowski Became An NCAA Team GM
