Adrian Wojnarowski, the former long-time NBA insider, has shared that his decision to step away from sports journalism was influenced by a recent prostate cancer diagnosis. Wojnarowski, 55, announced his retirement from ESPN after seven years in September to become the general manager of St. Bonaventure’s men’s basketball program. In his retirement statement, he said, “Time isn’t in endless supply, and I want to spend mine in ways that are more personally meaningful.”
On Thursday, Wojnarowski clarified that this statement was related to his cancer diagnosis. He revealed that he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in March, just before an ESPN segment. The cancer was discovered after a routine physical showed elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels in his blood. Despite the diagnosis, Wojnarowski reassured that the cancer is limited in scope and does not require surgery. Instead, it will be monitored, and he will make lifestyle changes, including improving his diet and exercising more.
Wojnarowski, who is currently asymptomatic, explained his initial reaction to the diagnosis, saying, “When you hear cancer, you think about it going through your body like Pac-Man.” However, he noted that prostate cancer usually remains confined to the prostate and tends to grow slowly.
Wojnarowski explained that while his cancer diagnosis wasn’t the sole reason for his decision to leave sports journalism, it did prompt him to reassess his priorities, particularly his family.
He shared, “I didn’t want to spend another day waiting on someone’s MRI or chasing down an agent at 1 a.m. over an ankle injury.” Wojnarowski emphasized that, in the end, what truly matters are family and close friends. He also pointed out that the stories he broke or the moments in his career won’t be remembered in the long run. “Nobody cares. It’s just vapor,” he said, reflecting on the fleeting nature of his past work.
Wojnarowski, who left his $7.3 million per year position at ESPN for a $75,000 salary at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, explained that the only reason to stay in his previous role would have been the money, but that wasn’t enough of a reason for him to continue.
His family — wife Amy and children Annie, 25, and Ben, 22 — fully supported his decision and were “ready for him to go.” Ben, a senior at the University of Denver, gave his father some blunt advice, saying, “People think your job is great. I think your job (expletive) sucks.”
Wojnarowski expressed excitement about his new role, stating, “What I was doing just wasn’t fulfilling anymore. I was done. This is what excites me now — learning something new and being part of something different. It’s a whole new challenge.”
After his profile was published, Wojnarowski took to social media to thank everyone for their support and assured them that he will be fine. He also explained that by sharing his prostate cancer diagnosis, he hopes to encourage other men to get screened and tested. “Early diagnosis will make all the difference for me — and for many others too,” he added.