Bonnies Buzz: Wojnarowski Announcement as Men's Basketball GM Takes Sports World By Storm

By Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

9/19/2024 11:17:00 AM

The sports world was buzzing Wednesday following the announcement of ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski's retirement from the network with plans to take the role of men's basketball general manager at St. Bonaventure.

After an award-winning career in sports media that has seen him become one of the most recognizable names in the industry while also accumulating over six million followers on X, he delivered one final ‘Woj Bomb’ with the news of his return to St. Bonaventure, his beloved alma mater that helped launch his career as a 1991 Bona's graduate.

For the rest of the day Wednesday following the morning announcement, St. Bonaventure was at the center of one of the most talked about subjects in the sports world. Here's a sampling of the reaction to Wojnarowski's Bona announcement on social media:

A sendoff to the incomparable @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/AXQlyZ1S3R
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2024

ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has agreed to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at St. Bonaventure, he told ESPN. The role includes Name Image and Likeness allocation, recruiting and supporting successful Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt. pic.twitter.com/JiUqNB0EMz
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 18, 2024

This is the quintessential @StBonaventure story: a guy trained on that campus reaches the top of his profession and decides to go home. This is 100% about a special guy returning to a special place. https://t.co/ixXN3Zl9jg
— Chris LaPlaca (@ex_espn_chris) September 18, 2024

The Bonnies welcome Woj back to his alma mater ?? pic.twitter.com/NTAHPw4BBn
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) September 18, 2024

No one ever has or ever could do a job in this industry better than our dear friend. Congratulations on one of the great runs of all time, and very best wishes for good luck in this exciting new chapter.
???????? https://t.co/6DF5ncTQLq
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) September 18, 2024

The NBA family congratulates Woj on a well-earned next chapter. He's been an integral part of our league for decades and we wish him all the best in his new venture. Sources close to the situation say that his future is bright. pic.twitter.com/csGFOOEKtP
— NBA (@NBA) September 18, 2024

.@stephenasmith reacts to @wojespn retiring from ESPN ?? pic.twitter.com/hZiGCjXAwf
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 18, 2024

Adrian Wojnarowski is returning to St. Bonaventure full-time
I made the trip down to campus, Athletic Director Bob Beretta and President Jeff Gingerich tell me the idea to come home to Woj's alma mater, all @wojespn
More coverage @wkbw https://t.co/iuNgUVCNIo pic.twitter.com/4pDJBT16Ry
— Derek Heid (@DerekHeid) September 18, 2024

I spoke to Saint Bonaventure University AD Bob Beretta on hiring @wojespn. Beretta said Woj's position is 'entry-level, behind the scenes, and exempt from overtime.' "He's doing it because he loves this institution and wants to make a difference in young people's lives." @espn pic.twitter.com/ADypDVYxIu
— Samantha Croston (@SamCroston1) September 18, 2024

It’s all come full circle for Adrian Wojnarowski after our St. Bonaventure dreams became reality https://t.co/JmAvy9cqkF pic.twitter.com/drIn7pZCyN
— New York Post (@nypost) September 18, 2024

It's just different @StBonaventure. Some insight from a fellow alum on why Woj's big move to leave ESPN makes so much sense. https://t.co/soRr3cj7G6
— Eric Fisher (@AEricFisher) 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 university’s athletic department announced that Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN’s top NBA insider and a 1991 St. Bonaventure graduate, will join the men’s basketball program as general manager. Athletic director Bob Beretta tells us how it all came together.https://t.co/AON8ZXrNGP
— The Buffalo News (@TheBuffaloNews) September 19, 2024

Got our guy ?#Bonnies || #Unfurl pic.twitter.com/eM0ZFkBq3X
— Bonnies Men's Basketball (@BonniesMBB) September 18, 2024

Before Adrian Wojnarowski began his NBA insider career, an editor told Woj he was worried that no one would hear from him again.

Now, he ends his legendary run in the NBA space as a household name.@AndrewMarchand reflects on his career:https://t.co/9wDOa1unJe pic.twitter.com/UrYwsxLvB6
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 18, 2024

Statement from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro on Adrian Wojnarowski's retirement from ESPN https://t.co/Bu5vHuK7E5 pic.twitter.com/GzQbwTiHlA
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 18, 2024

With @wojespn leaving the media to help run St. Bonaventure's men's basketball program as a general manager, here's a read from @Isaac__Trotter on why programs have become more keen on hiring GMs.

Read:https://t.co/y5oV8xpHaV
— CBS Sports College Basketball ?? (@CBSSportsCBB) September 18, 2024

Yes ADRIAN ?@wojespn? became THE BEST PTPER at what he did in getting fantastic @NBA Info .Now he will go back to his alma mater ?@BonniesMBB? & help them reach their dreams. His buddies ?@MikeVacc? & ?@ex_espn_chris? r thrilled .https://t.co/m8JeAGfKyx
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 19, 2024

I’m continually baffled and beyond jealous of the undying love that Bona alums have for their alma mater. Every single Bona grad I’ve met would take a bullet for the place, especially the basketball program. Every athletic department in America should aspire to this. https://t.co/L2NYH2NS0e
— Andrew O'Connell (@anoconnell) September 19, 2024

After years of being an NBA Insider, Adrian Wojnarowski is starting a new chapter as the basketball GM at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure University ?? pic.twitter.com/nksvZgnEJh
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 18, 2024

??NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski is retiring from ESPN to become GM of the St. Bonaventure men's basketball team.

Read more ??https://t.co/hVaMkjaApt
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) September 18, 2024

ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski is retiring from broadcasting to return to his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, to take over the newly created position of general manager of the men’s basketball program. https://t.co/oggRAtKBm1
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 18, 2024

Congrats on a job well
Done @wojespn !!! Much respect !! @espn @BonniesMBB https://t.co/8mjHl10Wo0
— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) September 18, 2024

You have the BEST! Congrats!
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) September 19, 2024

------
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies, Facebook and Instagram. To receive email alerts for all Bonnies sports including the weekly Bona Bulletin department recap click here.

Read More