Adrian Wojnarowski, former NBA executive and ESPN sports reporter, revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Wojnarowski told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated (SI) about his private battle with the disease during an interview published Dec. 5, and said he learned of his diagnosis in February. He said bloodwork results from a routine physical showed elevated levels of PSA (prostate-specific-antigen) and he proceeded to undergo a biopsy. The results confirmed that he faced the early stage of the cancer.
“When you hear ‘cancer,’ you think about it going through your body like Pac-Man,” Wojnarowski told SI.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 05: Adrian Wojnarowski attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on December 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
“Prostate cancer, it generally stays confined to your prostate and is typically slow growing,” Wojnarowski said.
His cancer is “pretty limited in scope” at this time, he added.
The famous sports personality said he isn’t currently experiencing any symptoms. His treatment plan at this time consists of an improved lifestyle with greater focus put on rest and healthier eating habits. For the moment, surgery is not required, but remains a possibility in the future, according to SI.
Wojnarowski said he was aware of the diagnosis before retiring from his high-profile ESPN job, but stated that it was not the primary reason for his departure.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Reporters Rachel Nichols and Adrian Wojnarowski speak before the start of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
He noted he simply didn’t want to stay on anymore, especially after his friend and longtime colleague Chris Mortensen died from throat cancer earlier that same year. The experience was eye-opening for Wojnarowski, who admitted he was surprised that more ESPN personalities didn’t show up to Mortensen’s memorial service.
“It made me remember that the job isn’t everything,” he told SI.
“In the end it’s just going to be your family and close friends. And it’s also, like, nobody gives a s**t. Nobody remembers [breaking stories] in the end. It’s just vapor.”
Wojnarowski told SI that his family was also ready for him to take a step back from his career. The nature of the job meant the demands on his time were all-consuming. (RELATED: ‘I Would Have Been Dead In 8 Months’: ‘Seinfeld’ Actor Michael Richards Reveals Cancer Diagnosis)
He said his son Ben told him, “People think your job is great. I think your job f**king sucks. Retire — and go travel with Mom.”
Wojnarowski is currently the General Manager of St. Bonaventure’s men’s basketball team.
