Former NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski opens up on the ‘lifestyle’ he gave up at ESPN
Adrian Wojnarowski reveals more of his departure from ESPN to becoming a General Manager of his alma mater basketball team.
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Adrian Wojnarowski
It was the end of an era when former NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski left his media career after years at the top of the industry. In a discussion on the Eye on College Basketball podcast, he confirmed that he has no regrets about the decision. Wojnarowski confirmed that he decided to pursue a different path after years of breaking major NBA news.
The legend Adrian Wojnarowski began his rise as the top NBA insider with Yahoo! Sports before he joined ESPN in 2017. He became famous for his “Woj bombs” on social media, which quickly turned to breaking news.
In February, I started to feel like this might be my last of everything. Last trade deadline, last draft, last free agency. In my mind, I started to feel a sense of finality… I gave up a lifestyle I didn’t want to live anymore.
Adrian Wojnarowski said on the ‘Eye on College Basketball’ podcast
Adrian Wojnarowski on leaving ESPN:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 11, 2024
“People say, ‘Woj gave up millions of dollars and gave up TV fame.’ Sure, that’s true, but more than that, I gave up a lifestyle I didn’t want to live anymore.”
(via @CBSSportsCBB) pic.twitter.com/QmbQLnMBMc
Wojnarowski’s shocking departure came despite the fact that he signed a lucrative five-year, $35 million contract with ESPN in 2022 as he chose to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure.
His dedication mirrored the experience of his former rival, Shams Charania, who described being on his phone 17-18 hours a day, with little opportunity to disconnect from the job. Although ESPN were quick to snap up his former rival, Charania, as a replacement, his style will be missed. Charania is a great replacement, but he has big shoes to fill.
Shams Charania opens up about successor Adrian Wojnarowski
New ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania started off his new role with an exclusive interview with CNBC’s Alex Sherman, where he discussed his new role and provided insight into his responsibilities. He offered a glimpse of how he plans to handle his duties, though he remained reserved about his relationship with former colleague-turned-rival Adrian Wojnarowski.
We worked together for two years. I’m forever honored and cherished to have been a part of that Vertical staff [at Yahoo Sports]. It’s a very competitive business. It’s a very, very competitive space. Over the last several years, I have just tried to just hone in on what aspects I can control on a daily basis, and that’s how I treat people and my work ethic.
Shams Charania said
Fans were thrilled as he made his ESPN debut on Get Up and First Take, sharing exciting news with hosts Mike Greenberg and Stephen A. Smith. He wasted no time delivering his first breaking news, much to the hosts’ delight.
He displayed maximum composure when he was asked about his relationship with Wojnarowski, a topic of public interest. And it was great to see how he focused on his healthy approach to the job and avoided any controversial remarks about the rivalry.
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Ubong Archibong
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