As a sports columnist with The Fresno Bee, Adrian Wojnarowski wrote dramatic award-winning narratives about local athletes and teams while also keeping a close eye on Jerry Tarkanian’s Fresno State basketball program.
Now at ESPN, the Connecticut native and St. Bonaventure University graduate is the go-to insider for all things NBA.
The transition from detailed story-telling to delivering hourly scoops on trades, injuries, contracts, and draft prospects has made him one of the wealthiest reporters on television.
According to the New York Post, Woj’s new five-year contract with ESPN will pay him $35 million. That’s just $10 million less than ESPN is shelling out to retain NFL insider Adam Schefter for the next five years.
Related Story: Reunited With Carr, Adams Says He ‘Was Meant to Be’ a Raider
ESPN’s $250 Million Spending Spree
The combined $80 million that ESPN has committed to Schefter and Wojnarowski is part of a $250 million spending spree for talent.
“This Schefter-Wojnarowski outlay comes on the heels of … ESPN sending shockwaves not just in media, but in sports in general, when it lured Joe Buck and Troy Aikman from Fox Sports for five years for a total of $165 million to call ‘Monday Night Football.’ That was $90 million for Aikman and a mere $75 million for Buck,” writes The Post’s Andrew Marchand.
Under his contract, Wojnarowski will continue to appear across the ESPN platform, including the “NBA Countdown,” “NBA Today,” and “SportsCenter” shows, as well as at ESPN.com, the ESPN App, and the NBA Draft.
“Millions of NBA fans rely daily on Woj’s distinctive insight and perspective,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “He’s accessible to fans through so many ESPN touchpoints and his tenacity, dedication, and presence on social media provide added connectivity. We are thrilled to continue to showcase his exceptional work well into the future.”
Read more at this New York Post link.
