Adrian Wojnarowski’s shock departure from ESPN comes 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 general manager of the men’s basketball program at St. Bonaventure, his alma mater.
And in a new interview with Chris Mannix of Sports IllustratedWojnarowski said he was diagnosed with early-stage cancer in March.
Wojnarowski said his cancer is “pretty limited in scope” and has no symptoms, but continues to undergo quarterly checkups – with surgery a possibility in the future.
“When you hear it, you think about it going through your body like Pac-Man,” Wojnarowski told Sports Illustrated. ‘Prostate cancer is usually limited to your prostate and usually grows slowly.’
Adrian Wojnarowski, affectionately known as Woj, has revealed his cancer diagnosis
The 55-year-old reportedly learned about his diagnosis shortly before his remote appearance on NBA Countdown.
“I didn’t want to spend another day of my life waiting for someone’s MRI or running over a cop at 1 a.m. with an ankle sprain,” he said.
Wojnarowksi, who insisted he should not leave ESPN because of his health problem, was ordered to pay an additional $20 million over 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 enough reason.’
The article also revealed that Pitaro tried to keep Wojnarowksi in a different role, including taking a break from “NBA Countdown” and returning for the postseason.
However, the insider declined that proposal because he wanted to be “fully immersed” in the NBA in front of the public.
More to follow