Adrian Wojnarowski’s reputation as a top NBA insider extended far beyond the basketball world—so much so that even presidential candidates sought his expertise for breaking major news. Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign wanted former ESPN NBA insider Wojnarowski to break the story that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had been selected as her running mate in the 2024 presidential election, Sports Illustrated revealed in a profile of the new St. Bonaventure men’s basketball general manager.
“Consider: In August, representatives from Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign reached out,” Sports Illustrated reported Thursday morning. “They had settled on their nominee for vice president and wanted Woj to break it. Alas, another outlet scooped him before he could.”
The fact that the Vice President’s team wanted a sports reporter to announce such significant political news speaks volumes about the standing Wojnarowski had among national reporters and the reach of his platform before he left the world of journalism. Wojnarowski’s ability to break news and deliver scoops—dubbed “Woj Bombs” by his followers—had made him a household name among NBA fans and sports enthusiasts alike.
With 6.4 million followers on X (formerly known as Twitter), Wojnarowski had built a massive following that eagerly awaited his updates. NBA fans knew that during free agency or the trade deadline, Woj could drop a franchise-altering piece of news at any moment.
His unparalleled ability to break big stories had made him one of the most trusted sources in sports journalism. However, not many would have anticipated that he could be in the running to break news in the political sphere.
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The revelation that Harris’ campaign wanted Wojnarowski to break the VP selection news underscores the widespread influence he had during his time at ESPN.
Ultimately, another media outlet managed to scoop the story before it was officially announced on August 6, but it would have been one of the most surprising and memorable “Woj Bombs” in history, had he been able to deliver it.
This wasn’t the first time Wojnarowski found himself involved in the political arena. In 2020, he made headlines when he received a suspension from ESPN for responding to a press release from Missouri senator Josh Hawley about the NBA’s relationship with China with a blunt email that read, “f—k you.”
It was a rare moment of political controversy for Wojnarowski, whose career had largely been defined by his work in sports media.
The news that Wojnarowski could have broken a vice-presidential announcement adds to the list of milestones in his storied career.
But ultimately, the long hours and constant demand for scoops—no matter how big or small—took a toll on him. After years of chasing breaking news, Wojnarowski made the surprising decision to leave ESPN and the world of sports journalism behind, opting instead to work for his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, as the general manager of the men’s basketball program.
In the Sports Illustrated profile, Wojnarowski also revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March, which played a significant role in his decision to step away from journalism. He assured his followers that his prognosis is “good,” but the diagnosis brought about a shift in priorities.
“Cancer didn’t force him out, Woj insists. But it did bring some clarity,” wrote Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “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,” Woj said.
The relentless pursuit of scoops, the never-ending calls to agents, and the constant need to stay on top of the latest news eventually became too much of a burden. Now, as he begins a new chapter of his career, Wojnarowski has chosen to focus on something that brings him fulfillment without the stress of round-the-clock journalism.
Wojnarowski’s move to St. Bonaventure marks a significant shift from the frenetic pace of being an NBA insider to the calmer yet purposeful environment of college athletics.
While the world of sports journalism may have lost one of its most prolific scoop artists, Woj’s decision reflects a broader message about balancing work, life, and health—something that resonates far beyond the sports world. His career may have taken a new direction, but Wojnarowski’s impact on sports journalism will be remembered for years to come.
