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, the Atlantic 10 school announced Wednesday.

Wojnarowski — a former Fresno Bee sports columnist — will oversee a wide range of responsibilities while working alongside coach Mark Schmidt and his staff. His duties will include focusing on name, image, and likeness opportunities, transfer portal management, recruiting and alumni player relationships.

“I’m thrilled and humbled to return to St. Bonaventure with an opportunity to serve the university,” Wojnarowski said in a statement released by the school in Allegany, New York. “I’m hopeful to share with members of our community some best practices learned from the most successful franchises and minds in the NBA and committed to opening doors globally for our players both on and off the court.”

Wojnarowski’s $35 Million ESPN Contract

Wojnarowski graduated from St. Bonaventure with a journalism degree in 1991 and received an honorary doctorate from the school in 2022. The 55-year-old has worked at ESPN since 2017, and his decision to retire came even while he was still under a contract he signed with the broadcaster in 2022.

According to the New York Post, Wojnarowski’s five-year contract with ESPN totaled $35 million. The Athletic reported that Wojnarowski is leaving ESPN with about $20 million left on his contract.

He and his wife, Amy, have been major benefactors to the university’s basketball program and the Jandoli School of Communication.

“We met on this beautiful campus as undergraduates and have shared a lifelong love with the university that continues now,” Wojnarowski said. “I’m ready to get to work.”

While at The Bee, 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.

(GV Wire contributed to this article.)