ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, a St. Bonaventure alumnus, is set to make a groundbreaking move by leaving his role as a prominent NBA journalist to take on the position of general manager for the Bonnies’ men’s basketball program. The announcement, made by the school on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in Wojnarowski’s career trajectory.
Known affectionately as “Woj,” Adrian Wojnarowski has built a reputation for himself as a premier source for breaking news in the NBA over the years. With his extensive knowledge of the basketball world and unparalleled connections, Wojnarowski is poised to bring a fresh perspective and unique insights to his new role as general manager of the St. Bonaventure basketball program.
In his capacity as general manager, Wojnarowski will be responsible for overseeing a range of key initiatives within the program, including managing the team’s name, image, and likeness efforts, navigating the transfer portal, spearheading recruiting efforts, fostering relationships with players’ families and alumni, developing professional player programs, and driving fundraising efforts. This move comes in response to the changing landscape of college basketball, particularly in light of new regulations surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
The introduction of NIL regulations in 2021 has prompted many college athletic programs to rethink their operational structure and add roles such as general manager to better navigate the evolving landscape of college sports. St. Bonaventure’s decision to appoint Wojnarowski as its general manager sets a new precedent in Western New York, making them the first of the four Division I men’s programs in the region to make such a strategic move.
Head coach Mark Schmidt expressed his enthusiasm for Wojnarowski’s appointment, highlighting the veteran journalist’s unparalleled connections and influence in the basketball world as invaluable assets to the Bonnies’ program. “Woj is as connected as anyone in the basketball world, and his decades-long network of relationships can only help our program remain among the top teams in the Atlantic 10 going forward,” Schmidt remarked in a news release.
Wojnarowski’s ties to St. Bonaventure run deep, having graduated from the university in 1991 and maintained a strong presence at basketball games at Reilly Center over the years. Additionally, he has cultivated relationships with key figures in the Western New York basketball community, including former Canisius men’s coach and current Daemen coach Mike MacDonald. These connections, coupled with Wojnarowski’s vast experience in sports journalism, position him as a formidable force in his new role as general manager.
Prior to his tenure at ESPN, where he was hired in 2017, Wojnarowski served as a national NBA writer for Yahoo Sports and spent a decade at The Record of New Jersey, honing his skills and establishing himself as a trusted voice in the realm of basketball journalism. His transition to the role of general manager reflects a natural evolution in his career, leveraging his expertise and insight to drive positive change within the St. Bonaventure basketball program.
As Wojnarowski embarks on this new chapter in his career, the basketball world eagerly anticipates the impact he will have on the Bonnies’ program. With his unique blend of experience, connections, and passion for the game, Wojnarowski is poised to lead St. Bonaventure to greater heights and solidify their position as a powerhouse in college basketball.
