In an unexpected move that sent shockwaves across the sports media world, Adrian Wojnarowski announced he was retiring from ESPN in a statement posted to his social media Wednesday.
Wojnarowski, 55, said he was leaving ESPN after seven years with the organization. The former NBA insider has accepted a position as general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, according to Adam Schefter.
“This craft transformed my life, but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry,” Wojnarowski wrote. “The past seven years at ESPN have been a particular privilege. … After all these years of reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m headed back to my own.”
Wojnarowski became a household name in sports media since joining ESPN in 2017 and previously worked as a sportswriter for over three decades. Wojnarowski raised the bar in his industry contributing to innumerable NBA reports over the years—fans likely just didn’t expect his own name to be the subject of one of his signature breaking news "bombs." His decision to retire reportedly even surprised his bosses, and he will be sorely missed in the sports media landscape.
Friends, peers and colleagues wished Wojnarowki the best as he pivots to a different career path.
Wow. Congrats & best wishes to you and your family on your retirement. It was an honor to work with you for 15-plus years. You changed the ways that news is broken in sports and will be forever remembered for your Woj bombs. Respect my friend. Definitely left on top. Go Bonnies! https://t.co/rmgypIOC24
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 18, 2024
A trailblazing journalism career ends. https://t.co/aZMVQpADU5
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 18, 2024
Good luck to a good dude. https://t.co/6yu2Y5Y8h1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2024
"I understand the commitment required in my role and it's an investment that I'm no longer driven to make." Congrats to @wojespn on a remarkable run as a writer and newsbreaker. That's a loooong time to be on call for what always seemed like 24-7-365. https://t.co/qPKx8LCCjK
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) September 18, 2024
Woj is one of the best sports reporters, columnist and writers ever to talk the earth. More importantly he’s as nice and supportive of young journalists as anyone in this industry. I can speak to that first hand but so too can dozens of others. As good as it gets. A true legend. https://t.co/8QoK2j3xBX
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) September 18, 2024
Happy Woj controls his own story… https://t.co/LRxXlnFrRz
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 18, 2024
I've been fortunate to spend more than 20 years in this business working with reams of talented people. Adrian Wojnarowski is the best. Period. A peerless reporter. A gifted wordsmith. A storyteller nonpareil. He is Jim Brown and Barry Sanders, leaving at the apex of his game.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 18, 2024
the final Woj-bomb. the end of an era.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) September 18, 2024
we will all remember where we were when we got the final woj bomb
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) September 18, 2024
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Sports World Reacts to Adrian Wojnarowski’s Surprise Retirement From ESPN.
