Adrian Wojnarowski’s shock retirement from ESPN came after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, it has been revealed.
The NBA insider stunned the basketball world in September when he left journalism to become the general manager of the men’s basketball program at St. Bonaventure, his alma mater.
And in a new interview with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Wojnarowski shared that he was diagnosed with early-stage cancer in March.
Wojnarowski said his cancer is ‘pretty limited in scope’ and has no symptoms, but still undergoes quarterly checkups – with surgery a possibility in the future.
‘When you hear you think about it going through your body like Pac-Man,’ Wojnarowski told Sports Illustrated. ‘Prostate cancer, it generally stays confined to your prostate and is typically slow growing.’
Adrian Wojnarowski, affectionately known as Woj, was diagnosed with cancer in March
The 55-year-old is said to have learned about his diagnosis just before a remote appearance on NBA Countdown.
‘I didn’t want to spend one more day of my life waiting on someone’s MRI or hitting an agent at 1 a.m. about an ankle sprain,’ he said.
Wojnarowksi, who insisted he was not forced to leave ESPN because of his health issue, was due another $20million in the remaining three years of his contract.
‘[ESPN president] Jimmy [Pitaro] was great,’ Wojnarowski said. ‘But the only reason to stay was the money. That wasn’t a good enough reason.’
Wojnarowksi has now taken a 99 percent pay cut on the roughly $7million he was making per year at ESPN – to the tune of $75,000 at St. Bonaventure.
The article also revealed that Pitaro tried to keep Wojnarowksi on in a different role, including taking a break from ‘NBA Countdown’ and returning for the postseason.
However, the insider turned down that proposal as he wanted to be ‘fully immersed’ in the NBA for the audience.
In a statement on September 16 announcing his retirement, Wojnarowksi said, ‘I grew up the son of a factory worker two miles from ESPN’s campus and only ever dreamed of making a living as a sportswriter. Thirty-seven years ago, the Hartford Courant gave me my first byline and I never stopped chasing the thrill of it.
‘This craft transformed my life, but I’ve decided to retire from ESPN and the news industry.
‘I understand the commitment required in my role and it’s an investment that I’m no longer driven to make. Time isn’t in endless supply and I want to spend mine in ways that are more personally meaningful.
‘I leave with overwhelming gratitude for countless mentors and colleagues, subjects and stories, readers and viewers. No one has benefitted more than me from the belief, trust and generosity of others.
‘The past seven years at ESPN have been a particular privilege. I’m appreciative of the company’s leadership – especially Jimmy Pitaro and Cristina Daglas – for the understanding and acceptance of my decision to make a life change.
‘After all these years reporting on everyone’s teams, I’m headed back to my own.’
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