NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski retires from ESPN to become GM at St. Bonaventure CBB | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

In a surprising turn of events, ESPN lost arguably the best basketball insider in the media world on Wednesday.

Adrian Wojnarowski announced that he is leaving ESPN after seven years with the company:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that Wojnarowski has accepted a position as general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure:

According to The Athletic Andrew MarchandWojnarowski “gives up around 20 million dollars.”

Marchand also reported that Wojnarowski informed his bosses Jimmy Pitaro and Burke Magnus of his decision to leave ESPN on Wednesday morning, and a source told him they were “surprised” by the move. Pitaro released a statement saying they “completely understand his decision to change his lifestyle and slow down a bit.”

Wojnarowski graduated from St. Bonaventure in 1991. According to a press release, his role as general manager will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, “including naming, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities and group liaison; transfer portal management; relations with players, their recruits, families and former players; professional player programs; and program funding acquisition.”

“During these times of change in college sports, I am excited to join a championship program that combines high-level basketball, national television exposure, professional preparation and NIL opportunities with a familiar, supportive educational environment,” Wojnarowski said in the release. “…I hope to share with members of our community some of the best practices I have learned from the NBA’s most successful franchises and minds, and I am committed to opening doors for our players worldwide, both on and off the court.”

After working at Yahoo Sports since 2007, Wojnarowski joined ESPN in 2017 as the anchor of the network’s NBA coverage. His insights and connections to the league made him one of the best sources for breaking news in all of sports.

Wojnarowski’s biggest competitor, Shams Charania, could soon be a free agent, as it was reported earlier this summer that his contracts with The Athletic and FanDuel TV are about to expire.